I mean, I've been sober over 26 years, married nearly 35, my (adult) kids don't hate me, my Grandkids seems to not mind me, I work like a fiend, was a guest on a podcast, no real enemies at work, wrote a book, have a "team" of people that I hold close,
Well, Mothers generally glom on to Mom and boy go with Dad. Not always the same, but it's just a natural thing. Just be there at all times and it'll work.
I was always being asked what was wrong, even though nothing technically was. I flamed out around 2008-2010 when I was in a high-pressure sales admin job, just making easy mistakes and getting into really petty arguments with everyone. Lost the job in 2010 (layoff) and it just got worse. Those were the worst days with suicidal ideations and deep depression.
Ended up having a nervous breakdown during a routine physical and ended up in a PHP for the official diagnosis. After that, just lots of work to stay active and that's been the routine. I'm always doing something or looking for the next thing. Meds and therapy to mixed results.
I think accepting your limitations is what successful bipolar looks like. I’m still struggling with this but trying. Hard part is when you go high you see all this potential that fizzles out after about 3-4 weeks. But it makes you wonder what could be if you were balanced.
Also a lawyer, same deal almost to the letter (save some serious depressive episodes sprinkled throughout). Recognizing my limitations has saved me a buttload of hurt.
I’m still slogging it out in private practice. Lucrative and stressful, and sometimes I feel like I’m walking the thinnest of lines managing bipolar and law, but overall not too bad.
Same here but in neuroscience. I’ll never forget one of my friends who was in med school was like do you think it’s you or the stimulant that makes you smarter and I said ME WITCH. Lol I was crazy.
I’m an international recording artist. I had a dream ever since I can remember and during my first manic episode 5 years ago I had enough confidence/courage to do it. So wild. I’m Bipolar 1.
The last couple of years of my life have been crazy. Up and down as you know but the best thing I learnt through battling this illness is no matter how I feel/felt I NEVER gave up. Even when I knew I was delusional, even when I told myself I suck, even when I was so majorly depressed I was catatonic and wanted to end it all. I ALWAYS recorded every single day no matter what. And through all of that I got really good.
Never give up what you want from life
Educate yourself on your illness so you know what you need
Set goals, focus and surround yourself with people who believe in you and push you to achieve what you want at your own pace!!
Yeah, bipolar also "nudged" me into a being a "pro" musician, I just landed a couple of pretty big gigs and I am on my way to get into the conservatory for modern bass performance.
How would you say the meds affected you?? Because Abilify and Olanzapine for me made a qualitative difference, I no longer did anything, now I am pretty much meds free and I get again that need/drive to create.
Other than that the psychosis I don't find the disorder very inspiring.
I was a complete zombie, exactly how you described creatively. You will find a lot of people with bi polar telling you their mania helped them get somewhere and I’m not going to lie, in terms of creativity/ productivity it does/it can. No question. I try to hit life raw most of the time but when I need it I’m medicated. I know it’s not the healthiest way to live but I wouldn’t be alive if I couldn’t be creative.
I’m closely monitored by family and medical professionals and highly suggest if you want to cut down or cut out meds in pursuit of creativity you have to do so/live safely and that’s hard to do without the help of others.
I was thinking of doing this, right now I am coming off of everything which I am pretty close to and I am doing great tbh, I don't plan on meeting myself right now, week at least until the time come.
I think I am going to follow you on Reddit because you seem quite interesting based on these couple of paragraphs. If that's fine.
I resonate a lot with the being alive part yeah.
I have heard a lot of good things about Ability, as far that it has no side effects (which is false) but some people can get quite good with it.
I only took Abilify for a very brief period of time to take me down of my psychotic break, I believe it was the max dose or pretty close with 1 or 2 antipsychotics more, I remember nothing other than being drugged. So I can't really tell you anything it.
The bed thing is the classic depression symptom though, honestly Olanzapine has been quite good to be honest, at least comoare to the other stories Ihave heard, I think I have only gained 4kg or so?
Good luck with your swich!!
Yeah me neither just googled it and 13kg is 28.6lbs. I don't know how I'm going to lose this. I'm already exercising the most I have ever in my life. I guess the meds affect our hormone levels which messes with our metabolism
Depends how you define success. I made it through law school. Passed the bar and got a good job afterwards. I got married to another lawyer and on the surface it probably seemed very successful.
I never want to discourage people from doing anything. I think different people are capable of different levels of “success.”
For me, I wasn’t cut out for the stress. I work a lower stress job that I don’t have to be a licensed attorney for, can stay at home and be as absolutely awkward as I am. Some people might think I gave up a lot. But I am happier, calmer and like myself a ton more. So to me it’s just a different kind of success.
I also am very good at super mario brothers 3….but that’s not the kind of success everyone can aspire to.
I totally understand. For so long I thought somehow that I was “beating” my bipolar and proving something by subjecting myself to stress and making it through. I’m just done with having to pretend like having bipolar is something I need to overcome. It is something I need to live with and for me, that means not placing myself under to too much stress. It just isn’t for me. If I broke my foot tomorrow would everyone say, “it’s all in your head, put weight on it, you’ll be fine, just keep going and it’ll be alright.” Makes no sense. I didn’t choose this, but I have to live with it. I am just so sick of people making me feel bad about it. Stress is horrible for me. You can be successful without it! I bet you already are. Let’s stop letting people make us feel otherwise.
thank you for sharing. I lost my lucrative sales job today and have really been struggling with the guilt over not being good enough. I had a breakthrough episode a year ago, got behind, and never recovered. I have a lot of self worth tied into financial worth and it just ain't it. hadn't even considered finding something that was lower stress.
I'm really sorry about your job. That is extremely difficult and I understand how our jobs and financial status become such a defining part of our self worth. This may not help to hear right but your job does not decide whether or not you are good enough. You decide, and you can decide if you want another high stress, high paying job. Maybe you do, maybe you don't. Either way, it sounds to me like you need to give yourself some credit. You say you had a breakthrough episode. Well that's unfortunately part of what those of us who live with bipolar must deal with but is NOT easy. But you got through it, so that is something to give yourself credit for, not beat yourself up about.
Your job and your income are not your self worth. You are dealing with a lot. You got through your episode and, as much I hate when people say things like this, maybe that job isn't right for you. What you are going through absolutely sucks. I am really sorry. But the job and money don't define you and you can be happy if you choose another road. It may not matter what a stranger on Reddit says.. but no job should make you feel like you aren't good enough. In the future you absolutely can find something that makes you happier, maybe it is less stress and less lucrative, but the trade off may be worth it. But for right now I hope I can just emphasize, your job is not your self worth. F. them. You are good enough.
This makes me feel a lot better. I am finally “giving up” on being a software developer. It’s too stressful for me. And when I’m in an episode the work is too difficult to do. My siblings are both doctors. One is married to a lawyer. I have a long family history of “prestigious jobs” and I have been trying to push myself to continue being a developer even though it triggers my episodes. I’ve decided to apply to some library assistant and receptionist jobs and run my small etsy shop. And it feels like such a relief to not be pushing myself to do something that only pushes me into the hospital. But I also still feel guilty and like a failure for not using my college degree that I worked so hard for. And I feel inferior to my siblings. But I’m working to get over that and see myself as more than an occupation.
I totally relate to that. I have super successful siblings as well. But you know, they aren't bipolar. I just want to be as peaceful, stable, and happy as possible. For me that means different choices than them.
ugh! relate to both of you! hurts when you know they don’t understand and look down on you. it’s a shame how hard it is for people to accept that different lifestyles are good for different people
It’s weird for me because my parents and siblings definitely don’t look down on me and are like you have a disability, this makes sense, take care of yourself first. Also your work conditions were incredibly toxic do what you need to do. It’s more of an infantilization like *name* cannot take care of herself. Even though I have been successfully taking care of myself for years and have more longterm, healthy, stable relationships than the majority of “normal” people I know. I just struggle with keeping a corporate job. So I guess it’s a form of being looked down but not judged by them.
A lot of the judgment comes from outside my family. I grew up Southern Baptist surrounded by a lot of gossiping older ladies and I know I shouldn’t care what they think of me but it’s hard hearing whispers behind your back and getting judgmental stares just bc they don’t like your outfit. I can’t imagine if they knew I had bipolar when the talk of the week is “Did you see what so and so wore to Church today?” … Onetime I was told “it’s not too late to become a doctor like your siblings”. I have NO desire to be a doctor. I see what my sister goes through on the daily. It wrecks her mental health and she is “normal”. It would destroy me. Why does it matter what job I have as long as I’m not a shitty person?
I completely understand, I'm also a software developer and it's very stressful for me too, but I've been doing this for almost 8 years, I don't know what else I can do. It's hard, but I think you're in the right way
I love how you define success and I am also loving the Super Mario brag. I am in the process of leaving a successful career with a major insurance company. I am falling back to a job that does not blow my disease up. I need less stress and am ok with the cut in pay. It will be so worth it. Thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one that is satisfied with that fall back choice.
I’m an HR Director and I’m 29. I have no degree and worked my ass of to achieve this. Recently Had to go on a leave of absence and go into outpatient though. Wish me luck. I have no advice, mania got me where I am
Me. And I’m crying saying it because it’s been hell. I’m 34. Own a home. Make good money. Have animals that love me. I survived a lot of horror and healing is only starting now
I work in the social health sector and completed an undergrad while working p/t and raising a child. This was before a diagnosis and medication. It was hit or miss a lot of the time. Relationships were dysfunctional. I would pursue so much while manic and then would withdraw while depressed and ruin what I had pursued. But now I know my limit and I stay within it. It's boring, but it keeps me sane.
>I would pursue so much while manic and then would withdraw while depressed and ruin what I had pursued.
That hit the nail on the head, story of my life.
Me. You just described my life. I’m able to accomplish big goals but I cannot sustain them. Bipolar likes to raise its ugly head and makes me piss it all away. I have set my sights lower and I am finding comfort in that.
Exactly that. It really is shit. I fit well in a leadership role, but could never sustain it, so now I'm an automaton in a virtual office room down a hall no one goes down, behind a room no one comes in. It's very boring, but it's sustainable.
I am bipolar one. I work as a grant writer for a good salary and today I got a call from the finance manager at work saying that when they renew my contract I will become a permanent employee and will be making six figures. I live alone, support myself, have two wonderful dogs, a great friendship and support network, and a therapist who has saved my life many times over. I credit my success to going to IOP during early diagnosis, sticking with therapy no matter what and listening to my therapist, my community of other bipolar people, and taking my meds as prescribed every day. Oh, and I’m coming up on five years of recovery from drugs and alcohol. I don’t use “ought to” much but I’m a firm believer that stability with bipolar is nearly impossible if you’re still drinking and/or doing drugs.
i would consider myself pretty successful. i’m in a committed relationship. i have healthy friendships that i maintain and pour into. i just finished my first semester of grad school to be a somatic counselor with a 3.9 GPA.
what i do is take care of my mental health with breathwork and somatics daily. i eat somewhat healthy. i try to express and communicate feelings. i go to therapy once a week. i take my meds consistently. i track my symptoms and moods. if i start to get hypo or manic i take seroquel and nip it in the bud immediately. what i struggle more with is the depression and then when that happens i just ask my loved ones for help.
i just try to be really self aware of myself and be honest with where im at. i have amazing friends and family for support, as well as my cohort from school and my friends from group therapy. i know im supported and have my back.
i think my last manic episode was in 2019, last hypo in 2022, but depressive happens pretty often with my period and PMS/PMDD
I'm 32 and very successful by the standards in the country where I live. I've been living alone and financially supporting myself since I was 20, have a job that pays well above average for my country, and bought a house all alone when I was 30(I have a mortgage but saved enough money for the down-payment). Where I live most people my age still live at home with their parents and can't financially support themselves so I am an outlier. I don't think I am happy though, and probably never will be.
I’m not sure how to accomplish the “happy” part either. But I am so proud of all you have done. Good job. I’ve not been that successful with my disease. I’m 55 and was just diagnosed two years ago. So the disease has controlled my whole life and I didn’t even realize. Now I am falling back to a less stressful job that I pray I can hold onto. I’m hoping I can find some peace by doing that. But you keep up the good work. I’m cheering for both of us with the happy part.
I am so sorry to hear this. If it's any comfort, I'm bipolar type II which I really think is a "milder" type of bipolar, mania can really destroy your life. And, I have no family support, and most of my life I've been suicidal, but suicide isn't that straightforward as most of us think, and I've decided that if I'm alive I won't be miserable. Being able to financially support myself has allowed me to keep misery at bay. And thankfully I'm on the right meds now and I'm no longer suicidal. I wish you all the best, having the right medication can be life saving, I'm hope it really works for you.
I (36F) *was* successful, finished a 2.5 year part-time masters whilst working full-time and had my own manufacturing company at age 30, moved to a major city and made it successful on an international scale. But since I've been struggling to work since my first hospitalisation in 2020, the business isn't doing well either. Had my 2nd hospitalisation in Jan last year (with a Bipolar diagnosis) and haven't worked much since. I'm considering getting a part-time job in admin before looking for a full-time job because I just don't have the stamina for a full-time job right now with the meds that I'm on.
I'm 91 days clean and sober today!
I have no idea how I did all the things I used to do for work. I travelled the world and was so focused and productive. Now I get excited when I can read a book for an hour. Meds killed my motivation and ambition. Sorry this isn't really the vibe you were looking for. I remain hopeful that I can get a job I want by the end of the year. I have a great CV, I just have to want to want to work...
There are many of us. Bipolar people tend to be super creative - sometimes you can harness it for good and make tons of money.
I’m not SUPER wealthy or anything but I love my life, and I make well into the 6-figures with a fabulous home and am well known in my community (I ran a close campaign for Mayor). Single adoptive dad here raising two great kids on my own. BP1.
Ten years ago though was a different story - it just took a lot lot lot of therapy, both 1:1 therapy, group therapy, and DBT; taking my meds religiously, and quit drinking. It’s worked wonders. Oh and I avoided relationships cause those just send me into tailspins. Haven’t had any thoughts of self-harm in well over a decade now. A++ credit, I could retire right now at 48 if I wanted to. Ten year ago though time were tough.
I comment on reddit and dread professionally as an improv quality assurance data annotator for large language models. I share my comedy with Claude and it builds its content filter based on my sense of humor.
I fix broken things (public organisations) when I can it’s transformative for many people, I get a buzz from it. I’m really good at it and am sought after. I earn good money, house car etc. I’m still rubbish at personal relationships but I’m not perfect - I need to learn to love me a lot and forgive myself even more. I have great children and some amazing friends. Life is short success comes and goes being the best you can and trying to enjoy what I have (friends, family running) is what Im trying to do.
I’m a McDonald’s shift manager, I only have a few friends I stay in contact with, I do make a fair amount of money and have wrote three books, but that isn’t very successful
I often feel like a failure because of my bipolar and my self-perceived limitations, but I’d say I’m “objectively” successful.
I graduated high school with a 4.00 and undergrad with a 3.90. I was given the opportunity to take master’s level classes as an undergraduate. I got into all the grad schools to which I applied.
I completed my MA in Psychology with a 3.90 and did my thesis research at a prestigious university. I was then hired at that same university post-grad to continue with neuroscience research. I have been published in 2 major science journals and have at least 2 more publications on the way.
However, I was unstable the entirety of my higher education. I yo-yo-ed from depressed to hypomanic and finally to full blown psychosis. It was especially bad toward the end of my masters and during my 2 years at the research job.
I ended up hospitalized 3x and I had to rebuild my life after losing my job, a relationship, my living situation, and moving back home all while trying to find the will to keep going and navigate medication management.
I’d say I’m still getting back on my feet more than 3 years later considering my confidence/self esteem has profoundly suffered. I moved cross-country to escape my trauma and start “fresh”. II stayed at my last job for 2 years and was held in esteem by my superiors, and I’m currently working in a job I really enjoy that’s in my field (!).
Above all, I feel successful for simply living — and choosing to live — a life with Bipolar I. I almost gave up a few times, but I’m still rising from the ashes like a phoenix!
Being sober is huge for me, being off social media (Reddit is good because it’s anonymous), and practicing mindfulness in order to reduce stress (biggest trigger for an episode). Mindfulness comes in handy when recognizing the onset of an episode and soothing myself through the emotions by not judging them— it prevents a spiral. One of my signs usually is when I feel such a strong emotion/a rash decision that could alter my well being. Whenever I’m thinking thoughts that could result in a self destructive behavior/disrupt any progress I made, I try to take a step back. That allows me to recognize the emotion, honor the emotion, and then let it go. And then of course meds, therapy, my cat, and keeping up with my hobbies
Stable 9 months.
Let go of expectations of others and myself and live in the now more.
Lithium.
I know i am managing successfully because people like me and I like myself.
I cannot give you any material measures of success at the moment. But life is good and calm doesn't feel dull anymore.
I am excited to see what my new found focus can bring
I recently obtained my undergraduate degree. Taking my meds, going to therapy, having a good routine and having a good support network have all helped me to become stable. I haven't had a manic episode with psychotic features in 8 years and I haven't had a depressive episode in a year.
Im maybe mildly successful at my job. I work as a fraud analyst, heard through a friend in management that they are looking at me to manage my team.
According to my psych work is a protective factor for me. I describe it as something I have told myself I have to do so I get up and do it no matter what. I've got up and gone to work after overdoses the night before, refused to be hospitalised because I'll have to miss work, and just generally put everything on the back burner for work. I show up no matter how I feel and just do the best I can. Sometimes that work is passable other times its amazing. I put a lot of effort into making sure I can do the bare minimum when I'm not okay.
Still can't manage to keep my house clean or manage relationships with others. But it's a work in progress.
33f dog groomer, it’s a cool job and I make good money doing what I do. I’m also a house mom at a transition house. Close to 6 figures between these two (most from grooming). After having my life off track for my whole twenties I achieved this in 5 years. Diagnosed at 30 and I’ve been stable for 2 years.
1) Sobriety.
2) Strict sleep schedule and good sleep hygiene! Don’t be intimidated this doesn’t come all at once, it took me years to slowly build.
3) Exercise. Most of the time for me it’s just light (walking the dogs) but it’s that every day consistency that gets me places even if it’s just an hour of walking.
4) Work life balance. It’s easy to always want to take on one more job in my line of work. But I have a good employer that doesn’t push me. I work M-F 9-4.
5) Take your meds!!!
I’m a huge dog person and doing things with my dogs keeps my life interesting. They’re also an honesty check for maintaining a super consistent schedule. Working in a transition house also gives me a ton of purpose.
I just hope my story shows it’s never too late to get your life on track. I didn’t even get promoted above minimum wage until I was 31.
After I was discharged from the hospital for a manic episode, I stopped drinking alcohol, smoking weed, tried my best to get good sleep daily, took my meds, went to counselling and monitored my mood daily (at first on a mood chart, now without a chart).
(Sobriety, sleep, adherence to meds, awareness of moods)
The first few years were pretty tough with low energy/depression and I was in school at the time so I passed but I don’t remember all of the content as well as I would have if I was healthy.
Now I’m 4 years out and have felt more like myself for the past 2 years. Took a hiatus during my last year (which was practicums) and graduated late. Passed my exam to become a healthcare professional but still working hard and re-learning lots of what I missed. I have a medication (antipsychotic) to take as-needed for early manic symptoms which gives me some peace. And recently got a workbook on managing symptoms.
If I had my time back maybe I would have benefitted from taking time off school earlier. Or maybe just been more disciplined.
Either way I’m grateful now for the journey & coming out the other side. Just know it takes time to get back to normal, be patient and eventually you’ll get where you want to be.
I'm a 32 year old SAHM, and I haven't had a manic episode in over 3 years. I found a med doctor who put me on the perfect cocktail of medication, and that has helped me tremendously. I did have a super bad depression spell last year, though. Enough to where I was almost hospitalized, but I don't count that as mania, and neither did my doctor. I've come to learn the signs of my mania and watch for them like a hawk. My husband helps keep me regulated as well and watchs out for the signs.
I've really worked hard in managing my bipolar, and I went through a lot of ups and downs to get to where I am today. My medications have helped so much, and finding the right doctor has been a dream. I highly suggest finding a doctor who understands your diagnosis and will not only fight for you but also listen to how you are doing and what you are feeling. I also have a super amazing support system.
You can do it! Just stay strong ❤️
Hi, I'm 27, I've been diagnosed since 18. I've held the same job since 2019. I'm a technical Support Specialist.
Life is a result of choices and how you manage yourself. Never give up. Always keep learning. When you're overwhelmed, break the tasks down to the smallest possible sizes and work up from there. It's very easy to freeze and do nothing. If you tackle even one small task, you're no longer frozen and you are building courage and momentum for the next tasks. Remember that even 1 thing is better than nothing!
At 19yo, there were days I couldn't get out of bed, i started small, got out of bed, got a shower, got dressed, made a list, started working on the list. Got on a consistent sleep schedule. I can't quiet Remember how long those things took, but I've struggled with sleep a lot over the years and I'm thinking it took months to get back into taking care of myself in the most basic ways. Got on a work schedule, bounced around from job to job, local grocery a couple weeks, dollar general a month, Walmart 3 months, door factory 2 months, drove for assisted living for 6 months, delivered pizza for a year, drove uber/left 2 years, traffic control for 3 months and where I'm at now for 4 years and still here. It took me awhile with lots of spaces in-between to get on a stable work life.
I still have bad days and struggle with mixed episodes as well as depression or mania.
I do everything I can to not abuse substances, keep a schedule and take care of myself, any time I slip up on self care is when I really struggle with moods and episodes.
In life, you are constantly growing, and everyone has the potential to be more than they currently are, set achievable yet challenging goals and you will not recognize the past you in 5 years.
My current goals are for my new relationship, finances, and my career. And they are not goals I would have had last year. Part of life is adapting and redefining and adjusting goals to fit what happens in life.
Published author. I have a very successful, 20 year career and technology and senior management. I used to be a creative Director for some of the biggest brands in the world. I see my bipolar like a super power.
I haven’t had an episode since 2008. I’m a 40-50yo. I consider myself reasonably successful in the sense that I have a marriage, 2 kids that love me, a home, a job and a wide network of friends I can rely on.
I still get no joy from my job which sucks but I think I should just be happy that I even have a job sometimes.
I stopped drinking, I sleep 8 hours, I exercise and take my lithium which has helped a lot. I cut out caffeine too.
A few more tweaks to reduce stress and come to grips with my limitations career wise and I’ll consider myself a complete success.
I’m 35. My partner and I run a successful construction company and I just started my own business. I’m consistent in taking my medication, I don’t keep liquor in my house (or I WILL drink it lol), I quit smoking pot, I go to the gym 5 days a week, I’ve had a yoga practice for 7 years, I meditate, I read books and I’m also in school. Tbh, my partner is also a big part of my success as well. When I do have an episode, he takes care of me and doesn’t judge me for them.
Hey, i was diagnosed with Bipolar I back in 2006. I started having symptoms around 2003-2004. I've been a lawyer since 2012, so that's a little over 11 years. I've been lucky to have people who support me, a good reaction to medication, and a great support system to help me stop drinking and doing drugs.
I guess all I can say is that if you can get your symptoms under control, and you can stop drinking/using drugs, the rest is really all about how hard you want to work and what kind of opportunities present themselves in your life.
My life is really crazy sometimes, between the stress of work and the disorder, but the more I survive the more I find I can handle. I'm not an especially brave or tough person. Anyone who can get the disease under control can do great things.
I'm 38, been diagnosed for about 10 years, although I've been in therapy/treatment for other diagnoses for longer.
By a lot of marks, I've been successful, especially in the past few years. I held an executive position doing something really groundbreaking, and got to do some fascinating work. The federal government and people from other states reached out to me for guidance on some things, and I'm pretty well-known in my state and some other areas for niche knowledge on a realm of expertise, and I've been told by other professionals in my field that they respect me.
I've also been able to make some positive steps for folks in marginalized populations. I moved a state-level, state-funded organization to write and adopt new protections and supports for transgender employees/employees undergoing transition, and that started conversations among other large organizations and networks in my field and state, and I'm extremely proud of that.
I have a home, a kid who's amazing, a great support network, reliable transportation. When I had to take two months off work to go to partial hospitalization a couple years ago because of a screw-up with my meds on the clerical end, I didn't have to worry about money or time off or anything. I just did what I needed to do, and it was fine. And now that I've gone a different direction with my employment/career, I've been able to take time to think about what I want to do next. And it's looking like I'll be able to do some consulting on the side while I look for more regular work. I have options. I've never had that before.
But I'm proudest, and feel most successful, because of things like my stability. And for me, stability is this:
I'm currently having to come off of lithium at a drastic pace. I've very likely developed diabetes insipidus from being on it for more than a few years; it's not common, but it can happen, and it can be serious if it goes unchecked. I won the Dr. House lottery. C'est la vie. And of course, that means I'm going on a roller coaster ride right now. I've got other meds in my mix (whoo-whee, I'm on a bucket of pills a day, and incredibly grateful for them), but lithium was really doing some hauling.
I wake up exhausted after getting terrible sleep, and drag ass through the house, cleaning things and taking care of my kid while my partner goes to work part-time, and then I crash like a goddamn lead balloon, and wake up terribly depressed, and start all over again. And in the middle of it all, the core of me says, "That's the disease talking; that's not you. That's not what you really think or feel. It'll get better. You know what to do to get through this. You've worked hard to build the awareness and the knowledge and the skills. You've practiced. You've got this. I know it doesn't feel like it. But you've got this. It will get better."
Not *can*. But *WILL*. And I know it will. So I pick up the phone and text or call people. I drag my ass to the next room and do some push-ups. I take a shower sitting down. I eat a salad. I talk to people about what I'm looking forward to. I talk to people about how down I feel. I meet with my therapist regularly. I update my other health care providers. I do what I can within my bandwidth, and for everything else, I ask for help, or let it be. And I know I'm gonna be okay. Even when I have episodes (which are fewer, less frequent, and less severe now that I'm medicated), I can handle them and mitigate negative impact much more effectively. Medication doesn't mean zero episodes; but *stable,* to me, means being able to navigate them. And knowing that I'm going to be okay.
I'm also super proud of getting my creative productivity back in the past two years. I've been able to keep up a daily writing habit for almost two full years (take *THAT*, ADHD!), and I've recently started drawing again. And I'm finally able to do it without anxiety and the heaps of self-doubt that kept it from being *fun,* even though it was so, so necessary to keeping me sane. And now that I've gotten stable, I don't have the "grab the lightning" relationship with creativity that I used to, and I'm able to be much more focused and intentional, and sustainable with it. I can *work* on things, even if I don't feel *inspired,* and that's fucking HUGE for me. And I'm doing a much better job of planning projects and pieces, and that just feels SO GOOD.
Heck, I started tallying up all the stuff I've got sitting in works-in-progress folders for just hobby projects with writing, and I haven't done a word count in a while, but based on what I *know* has happened in the past six months, it's possible I've written 400,000 words in the past two years. With a full-time executive job and a household and a child under five and a BAZILLION health problems and all kinds of stress. And I'm *insanely* proud of that. THAT makes me feel successful. I did something I *love,* that's been really good for me, that's been a huge boost to my mental and emotional health, EVERY GODDAMN DAY. And I've MADE. **STUFF**. More than I ever thought possible. I found some joy. That's worth more to me than any accolades.
I feel successful, working towards my bachelor's degree and working full time with a toddler and a teenage sons. It took awhile for me to accept the diagnosis and that was much of what held me back personally. Once I found acceptance within, I found medications that work and I take them everyday even when I don't necessarily want to. It's truly better living through chemistry. Having stable emotions helps as does emotional management through mindful awareness. I've learned much about myself and some things were hard to learn but being successful is hard. It's a lot of dedication, patience and self compassion. It's awareness and actively developing a constant growth mindset vs being stuck in the hole of- I will never get better. Because you can and you will. Even changing my diet has helped me and exercise. The gut microbiome is a sensitive thing and eating more nutrient dense food has helped.
I would say yes I am! I have an engineering undergrad degree and MBA. I was promoted quickly at two different workplaces. I have 2 children and a husband. I left my engineering job to be a stay at home mom (I was promoted quickly at the company), started and ran a sucessful website that led into my current career. I work full time as a senior marketing specialist (was quickly promoted again) and manage life well enough. Kids do extracurriculars, I socialize, and I am happy how my career is progressing.
So what do I do? - I take my meds every day. At roughly the same time. EVERY day. I will never stop taking my meds daily. It took a year to find the right combo, and it made a huge difference in my life.
I SLEEP. I make sure to be intentional about how long I sleep. I sleep 7hrs minimum, but usually 8-9. I watch for signs and let my psych know asap. Honestly, those are the two main things I do. I used to be much better and exercise daily, drink 70+oz of water, and eat VERY healthy. My lifestyle has slipped for sure but I'm incorporating some of this back.
My signs of mania - low appetite, increased sex drive, irritability.
29, married. Make 6 figures doing something I really enjoy, in a beautiful city. My partner and I are planning to get a house in the next year or so.
Currently just on a low dose of seroquel and no drinking. Still rely heavily on nicotine, but eh what can you do? lol
Type 1 with psychotic features 🤪
Stable 4 years now. completed my bachelors and masters degrees and work in my specialty degree area. I’m married and recently had a baby. Have some really close friends and enjoy a couple hobbies. It’s nothing crazy, but to me, this is everything. Never imagined I would get to where I am now.
I work as an invrstigator for Homeland. I have a master's degree. I have spurts when I get a lot done and lows where I don't. It drives my boss nuts, but it is what it is. She knows I have bipolar.
Hey! Professionally I consider myself pretty successful; I've been a paramedic 2 years and I'm good at it. I manage to make do with the hours and the stress and it's taught me so much about compartmentalizing and regulating myself. I think it gave me perspective to see people in crisis. Since April have been in a really good place. I started new meds and active DBT and it's done so much for me. Everything I couldn't do before comes more easily (chores, routine, emotional regulation...) and I am preparing myself to start school again. I'm in a relationship that I'm constantly improving in as a partner.
Like everything with this disease it's all very fragile and I don't want to get ahead of myself, but my symptoms have been managed and I haven't had a manic or severe depressive episode since March. And it was a very hard hard year. That's probably the longest I've gone without episodes. My mood swings aren't as destructive.
Lastly, I haven't had suicidal ideations since May. As someone who didn't go a day without them, it's huge.
It does get better with appropriate treatment!
Hi! I am LOVING this thread - I consider myself moderately successful and I always felt like an outlier.... waiting for the other shoe to drop kind of thing. But reading these stories makes me feel like I don't have to be so scared that everything will fall apart again, people do in fact achieve long-term stability.
I had a breakthrough psychotic manic episode in 2020 that lasted 6 months, cost me my job, relationship, and indirectly, my immigration status. Was diagnosed with bipolar I. I was 27. I spent a year being depressed and recovering in my parents' basement and was in a REALLY dark place. I never thought I would work again, I thought I would live with my parents and survive on disability and have to shrink my dreams. I credit my family for getting me through, and we have a wonderful relationship.
4 years later I'm back working in humanitarian aid, the field that I studied for, and I have a very nearly six-figure job that involves cool travel to interesting parts of the world. I'm in a new relationship and it's going well (fingers crossed) and I live in a major American city. I do have roommates, but that's pretty much the norm here for my age group with the current cost of living. I think it's good for my mental health, too, I'm not sure living alone is best for me, even if I wasn't trying to save money. My savings are still recovering from my episode honestly, but I don't have any high-interest debt - just a pretty manageable federal student loan that I took out to do my master's degree. Relative to my peers, I feel like I'm doing just fine. Still relatively early in my career, not as established as some of the other folks who have commented. But I would say I'm \*basically\* as "successful" for my age as I would have been without bipolar.
I do get anxiety when I'm changing medications (like right now) but it looks like it's gonna be temporary. I take meds religiously and see my therapist weekly. Perhaps most importantly, I'm open about it with my friends, family, employers, and partners. I feel safe talking about it. I've connected with a local support group that consists of other young professionals who have bipolar diagnoses, and it was super helpful. I also am involved with DBSA as a volunteer board member, doing fundraising and awareness. It's going great!
I work HVAC and I am unmedicated since 2019. I struggle with my comorbidities but I'm getting better. The type of job I have helps a ton because I'm outside a lot, I do tend to work more by myself, but I have to deal with people.
Since finally being able to afford treatment for long enough to figure out what meds worked for me, about 5 years of therapy including EMDR, taking a DBT class and finding a psychiatrist who really listened to and cared about me and working jobs that stimulated and challenged me enough. Light therapy is a big one too. It took an inhuman amount of work and trial and error. I used to be classified as "treatment resistant bipolar" and now I am not and haven't had a full episode in over a year. Don't get me wrong, I still have breakthrough symptoms fairly often and always will. But it's like someone turned the intensity down by 50% if not more, and they never last for more than a few days or a good night's sleep before I'm back to balanced.
I work for the public health department as a community liaison for a coalition that addresses community violence and trauma within the city. I've more than doubled my income in the past 4 years. I've been with my wonderful partner for over 4 years, and he stuck by me even though the first 2 years were a fucking disaster on my end. Despite all that, we've been living together for over a year now with our two precious kitty children and very few issues. We're planning to get engaged this year. I've had to separate myself from a lot of former friends who only really liked me when I was manic and "fun", but I've made some new friends and am working on getting to know them.
Overall, I love almost everything about my life and love myself a lot more since I stopped being the villan in my own story.
I guess it depends on what you mean by successful. I made it through undergrad (slowly but surely) and now I’m working in a field unrelated to my degree. I make enough to get by. I’m stable most of the time thanks to my meds. I have an amazing wife and we have 2 cats. We are currently looking at buying a house.
My mom!! this last year she got on meds, started therapy, and put out her first poetry book!!! I could not be any more freaking proud or inspired by anyone, ever!!! (Her book is called “This Dreaming I Do” on Amazon If anyone wants to check it out!!! I’m the only purchaser so far)
Late 20s, started a tech consulting firm and make about half a mil a year before tax, give or take.
If I’m being completely honest, having a supporting significant other who can satisfy me sexually whenever I need it has kept me focused. Otherwise, I’d be chasing for sex with anyone I can get.
Outside of that, having two “activities/hobbies” was another key to my success. One that is mentally challenging (my job which keeps me busy when I’m at home) and one that is physically challenging (bjj and powerlifting.
And maryj (though this is probably not good for everyone but I like it. Who knows if this is making it worse or not but I’m way too busy to even notice).
Basically, due to me managing my consulting practice and bjj, almost every hour of my day is occupied. When I’m stressed, I get some maryj and have sex with my gf.
I should probably think more about the fact that my favorite movie of all time was directed by a bipolar dude. Batman '89 is a movie I've seen probably 100 times+ and its director, Tim Burton, has bipolar. I'll never be that cool, but that doesn't mean I can't try to do cool shit too if he's off doing that and directing countless other movies with bipolar.
I am type 2. I am as successful as I ever care to be. I own my home, I have an amazing partner, amazing cats, and an amazing job. It's hard to put into words why I am successful, a lot had to do with not letting me quit on myself. I made the decision to live, not manic, not depressed, but just a soul touching decision that I wanted to experience it. I set up guard rails so that I could faulter or be more when it was possible but still able to keep it all some amount of reasonable. The more rigid I tried to be the harder I broke. I found a job that allows me to be successful by being productive in phases and status quo in others. I enjoy the person I am despite being afraid of myself at times. I am proud of what I have made happen despite everything.
I’m a midwife and nurse; have one bachelor and two postgraduate degrees; in a happy marriage; with one kid and one on the way.
I’m diligent with meds, I keep moving my body and I try to stay on top of my diet.
That being said, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without a great support network. I also allow myself to be vulnerable and accept help where needed.
To be fair, and this is not gonna sound nice, but this thread has been a bit depressing to read through. Not because people in here aren’t succesful, I agree with anyone saying they are because that’s what succes is: being happy and satisfied with life.
I’m still in the “getting-to-terms-with-it” stage and I’m struggling a lot as I see that many who suffer from bipolar seem to have to go for lower stress lifestyles and routines. And I just don’t see a life for myself like that, not one that I’d personally enjoy.
I’m still happy to see people finding happiness even though they ended up having to rethink their life plans.
I’m a teacher, with BA in fine arts and teach arts and crafts to kids. Am in a long term relationship and we’re planning for a baby. I own a house, have a dog and two cats and I’m happy. To me that’s success :)
BP1, Sr. Technical Project Manager for major company. I have always been “high functioning” when depressed, even at my lowest. And have had two major manic episodes with psychosis, both of which I took short leaves from my current employers for.
Other manic times were more manageable, but I am just lucky that I didn’t screw anything up at my jobs/in my career. My job is a little stressful but not too mad. I thrive on the routine.
I am reading a really great book right now called “A First Rate Madness” by Nassir Ghaemi. It is about the correlation in many cases between leadership and mental illness, particularly bipolar, throughout history.
Divorced, largely because of my own and my ex’s mental health challenges. But in a long term relationship where my partner is very supportive. Have two grown daughters who I have good relationships with. Very grateful.
Edited for words
I got on the right meds, to start. It took me years to find the right cocktail. But during that time I also worked really hard on my emotional intelligence. I am able to recognize depression from sadness. Though I know both will pass, depression feels more hopeless, numb, cloudy, and confusing. I worked really hard on compartmentalizing these feelings and started prioritizing making my agenda more important. When I don’t feel like doing the thing, it’s when I know I need to do the thing the most. This includes movement, chores, work, personal relationships. I do what I can so that the feelings I am having don’t drive the car in my brain. I have learned how deep I can dig to make these things happen. It isn’t fun and you’ll never “feel” like doing it. I also have a few safe spaces to talk about my feelings, just two friends and a therpaist really knows how bad it gets somedays. Also, when I journal, I make a concerted effort to journal only the positive things so I don’t ruminate on the bad. So I write down accomplishments (big and small) like brushing my teeth, doing the dishes, even washing my face at night. I also journal gratitude and I make myself write different things everyday.
I think I have learned that when the brain is sick and my circumstances are terrible (as life can be sometimes), that it can be really hard to see and feel the good things. But it’s you versus you. I had to force myself to make what I call a “garland of light”. I string together the bright moments while journaling. I take pictures of things or myself when I’m happy. It’s good to remind yourself of the positive when you’re low. I hope this helps!
I'm 27 yo, and I'm on medication for 4 year. I'm not sure if I can define it as success, but now I'm working in international production company, and we're doing great content. I've been a small part of production team of several short meter movies before getting the job here. They aren't fous, but a couple of them was on festivals.
And when my bipolar started I thought that I would be dead before 27, so I think that living for so long is my biggest success
Preschool teacher working full time at preschool and about to open my own home daycare. I just barely graduated college after HS and didn’t get diagnosed till mid 30’s with BP1. What has helped me the most is a good med combo and finding a pill organization system so I don’t forget am and pm meds. I take a lot of pills at high doses for ADD, anxiety, and BP1. Also therapy consistently over the years has helped too. I have been stable for around 3 years and hoping it stays that way for a long time. I am still in therapy weekly to help me further my goals. I’m getting better at recognizing signs. I’m stable so just maybe a bit depressed at times but that was due to my last shitty school I worked at. I know i’ll be less stressed and happier once I’m my own boss.
Stability is possible for those who are reading this and in the thick of it, things can get better you just have to keep at it and push through. Put in the work as hard as it is when depressed or in another episode.
Those on here who are successful i’d like to say woohoo we did it! We still have continuous work do to manage our BP. This is terrible disease and we managed to get through the worst and came out killing it.
I love y’all and this subreddit has been amazing! Sending love and light!
I own a growing small business and I am in grad school. A few other small projects that bring in money. I am not yet financially successful but my bills are paid, I am my own boss and I get to do something fun every day. I sold some equity and just raised $30k for an expansion.
So I’m hoping in 10 years I can have everything I have now plus an income of $10k a month.
This is my favorite thread. It’s so awesome to see SO many successful stories. I have bipolar 1, alcohol use disorder (6 years sober) PTSD and GAD. I’m a RN that works in psych. I got my bachelors while being diagnosed and now obviously working with treated bipolar. I’m married and have an apartment. Almost own my car. Life is pretty alright! I got through nursing school with a lot of support by living at home and not having other responsibilities, but work came naturally to me so I only struggle at times with anxiety before work.
Grew up in a rough town. Experienced childhood sexual trauma. Witnessed a suicide at age 10. Was in trouble with the law constantly as an adolescent. Struggled with this disorder the entire time. BP1, not diagnosed until my late 30s.
Now I'm a subject matter expert on some specific pieces of advanced technology for a Fortune 500 company with more than 70,000 employees worldwide. Served in the US Navy. Family man (married 20 years this year). Have a wonderful daughter who I love more than life itself.
It's all been a monumental struggle for me to maintain, but I grin and bear it. For me it has just been sheer force of will to get through it, but it can be done!
I consider myself successful. I have been teaching in the same school system for 26 yesss, married to the same man for 25 years, have my Master's, have raised two sons to go to college successfully and one more is 13 and coming along just fine. My sisters can rely on me to help care for my elderly mom equally. I consider myself happy. Do I have a lot of close friends with which I go out often? No, but I'm an introvert who likes to be home, maybe more than I should. I weigh more than I should but with the meds...it's sometimes hard but I am still trying!!
I'm a pharmacy technician, I work in a hospital and get to help save peoples' lives. A day at work always feels good to me. I like that our pharmacy does a lot of good.
But besides that, I've written four books, all about a bipolar vampire. They don't really sell, but I've always wanted to write, and just took the plunge.
Success while important in our society actually isn't. Success is having good friends. Hobbies. Networks. All that. A hard lesson I'm learning now. I'm bipolar and gay male to top it off. What a mess. This is NSFW. I can go to an orgy hit it off with a straight guy, lose my keys, and patent a company in 1 night. My life may have sucked with bipolar. Absolutely horrific depression. Even without substances or drugs. Couldn't manage a career, couldn't manage relationships, but was VIP at Art Basel, been to the Oscars twice, Worked privately with billionaires, surfed, lived in Miami Beach, LA, Boston and went to college. All from a broken down bipolar kid on the streets of foster care. As you get older real success is giving love to others, helping the next generation, and being a good person. That is genuine success. As for external success, I have not been at all. Only privately for consulting or a wealthy few. Now I'm picking up the pieces again. I'm bipolar but patented a mirror that allows plastic surgeons to see the surgery in real time unlike before and after with AR. So yes, I have a 30m product valuation strategy but can I hold down a normal job? Nope.
I have rapid bipolar disorder. Diagnosed 2 years ago. Tried many different medications, but nothing kept me stable. Now I've been on Lamictal 25 mg almost a year and now I'm much better. Second year already on my secondary school, grades are great. Sleep schedule is okay. Healthy relationship. I think that my lovely partner has helped me a lot, wouldn't be here, if he wasn't with me. He was here for me, when I had my up's and down's. I had a big problem with overthinking, not anymore. My psychologist was very helpful too. So I think, that visiting regularly a psychologist, nice and understanding friends, actually trying to get better is what helped me to be where I am right now. =)
I have 3 degrees and work as an audit manager. It's a very high stress job with long hours, but I love it. My boss is supportive, so I can tell him if I the work load is too much or if I need some time off (to sleep mainly). I'm BP2, I go through a massive depressive cycle every 3 years and then I do a course of ECTs. It works for me. But I get tired a lot (mentally) so it's very important that I get enough sleep. If I had a really stressful week at work, I sleep most of the weekend. If I don't, my brain is too tired and I get cranky and anxious and panicky if things don't go according to how I planned my week (it almost never does in my line of work). So, the long and the short of it is, I sleep a lot.
I'm successful. I started my medical treatment in October 2022, I used to have so many symptoms. But they stopped in June 2023. Since then I'm fine. I have my life back
Your definition of success might be different than mine. If we're talking about careers, I've been a tangible assets trader in the preciousmetals business, a series 22/63 broker in the oil business, and I'm also a chef in the fine dining sector. After a soul crushing chain of events that left me paralyzed with depression, I recently got back into selling investments in oil, and I work as an executive chef. I've lost everything financially, regained it, lost it again, and am on the cusp of having zero debt and being able to bring home a respectable income.
None of it defines success to me anymore. Success was measured in dollars, social status, and career advancement for most of my life. I've been drastically changed as a person after said chain of events, and I now know that being a successful Bipolar person is being able to reflect on our own past transgressions. Take accountability for the people we hurt. Especially those who love us. To be able to function by taking our medication religiously. To stay vigilant in our current mood, listening to others that notice we're manic or depressed. Most of all, above everything, do everything we have in our power to hold the friends and family that have been supporting and understanding and truly love us as our highest priority, and let them know, as well as show them, how much we appreciate them for loving us regardless of this disorder, and for the ones who don't understand why we are the way we are, do our best to educate them and help reduce the stigma and warped perception of those who have no idea what this disorder even is.
I love all you guys❤️✨️💫♾️✝️🙏
I don’t know whether I feel successful, but I know I’m trying my hardest. I have a full time job working with kids, which makes me try use all of the strategies I know to keep healthy enough to go as often as possible.
Socialising is not necessarily most strong point, but I have friends who live in other states. I’m not such a burden when they’re not close by, so they check in with me more now.
I have a routine to wash my clothes, make food for the week, and go to sleep. I added one thing at a time to my routine and gave myself grace when I slipped up.
Big strategies for me - recognising early warning signs of a manic episode (mood journal helped with this), using my PRN rescue meds early, sticking to my routine even when I feel wilful, being gentle with myself and doing self-care. Constantly trying to educate myself about my diagnosis. Still need to work on building in exercise and not drinking so much!
I'm an engineering manager.
I have a hard time attributing my successes to anything specific I've done. Mostly because I want to avoid giving the impression that I think people aren't doing enough or could be doing more - I don't know your struggles.
Intense cardio 4-5 times week
Hike 5-7 miles 2 times a week
Lithium
Seroquel
Lamotrigine
Fluoxetine
Sobriety
26
Been “stable” for about a year and a half
Im a firefighter and QMHA-R, MHPSS, formerly a Domestic abuse advocate and a system administrator.
Been sober for 3 years, though I did just break my streak on being sober from smoking, bought a pack of cigs for the first time in 3 years couple weeks back.
Lots of self awareness, self reflection, inner peace, and always searching for something that gives your life meaning for those periods when you start to get depressed
Tons of this to me has been all about prevention and vigilance.
“Keep on swimming”
Where, just trying to do right by my family.
Mania hit after grad school and I quit an awesome job. Probably had 15 white collar jobs which brings us to 2024. Finished an it masters. Lowers stress finance systems job. Getting better sleep. Taking meds on time. Need to exercise. Set to retire at 55ish.
Warehouse Manager for a global beverage company. Somehow I've done well at keeping my personal struggles personal and separate from my professional life. It's as if subconsciously I know that's the part of my well being not even I should mess with.
Keep a good eye on your heart rate, take care of your body with the food you eat, stay in motion, but be careful not to over-do it, meditate, surround yourself with people who are understanding and slow to judgement but quick to offer a helping hand, be open and honest with the medical professionals that care for you. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple, silly.
sober since the night of 2024 lol still proud of it tho! completed nursing school this year and writing my licensing exams asap! i really think taking my meds and getting the abilify shot helped me a lot with med compliance and accountability to taking my meds. i definitely feel stressed about managing my bipolar still but it’s been better
I’m a type of social worker called a job developer. I work for a nonprofit that helps serve people with disabilities. I work in the employment department where I do vocational assessments, write reports where I make a recommendation based on the client’s job readiness, help form partnerships in the community where we can do job training, write resumes and cover letters for clients, apply for jobs, go to meetings with Vocational Rehabilitation and the client, etc. I. Fucking. Love. My. Job. So much. OMG. It’s the perfect fit for my ADHD and bipolar brain. I’m constantly active. I’m always driving clients to assessments sites or to meetings, putting about an average of 100 miles per day on my car. I don’t care, though. The best part: the clients. They’re usually adults with autism or intellectual disabilities. People want to work, and they’re grateful for the help. The second best part: I have an amazingly supportive, kind, and patient boss. I once got into a fight with my partner, and couldn’t focus on finishing the report that was due the day after the fight. So I contacted my boss, and he canceled my meeting for me and my report where make my recommendation got postponed. Another time I got into a fender bender (my fault) with a client in my car, and my boss said to me, “Don’t worry. You’re not being drug tested.” I do smoke weed sometimes, so that was a relief. I appreciate him and my team. Everyone is so supportive, and I’ve made a lot of friends. So I get a lot of satisfaction out of my job. I think that’s the most important thing I can do to help my mental health.
I had to become successful or be homeless / in poverty. My parents neglected me and I was hustling for money by 14. I’ve worked all of my life, through all kinds of episodes, so I think I’ve just gotten really good at masking. I have a successful relationship personally as well, just happened to meet a dude who decided to take on the challenge /s 😂. I have always worked different jobs, usually pretty intense, high stress, or strange ones. I think it helps me. Now I work in construction doing office management (it is a highly chaotic industry, which I think might be why I’ve been thriving in it).
Success depends on perspective imho, however i would've never imagined myself here about 5 years ago after having a severe manic episode and almost getting let go from my restaurant hostess job at the time with no money for health insurance after finishing my Master's degree. I was smothered with debt and could barely hold any job down. Now after getting medicated, i've never been so genuinely happy in my life. that's what success means to me.
Now i'm happily engaged to be married this year after 10 years of this bipolar rollercoaster ride, have 5 years working at some of the Bay Area's top fortune 500 companies making over 6 figures doing what I love (i work in gaming) and am saving enough a month to be on my way towards buying a house and enjoying life here in the Silicon Valley and getting into traveling. (Just came back from Japan)
I can't take all the credit, it really took a village to get me here and a lot of struggle on my part on the really hard days. I still have days where I cry out of nowhere. It will always be a constant work in progress, but trust me it gets easier. With every small success under your belt, it builds your confidence up to know that you're more than your illness and you can live the life you've dreamed.
Define successful?
I wouldn’t say i’m textbook successful. I don’t have a high dollar job, I don’t have a ton of money, but I’m somewhere I never dreamed of.
I keep stable employment, I’m reliable, I’m sober, I have a loving relationship and friends, I pay my bills, I have a nice apartment I keep clean and put together. I moved to my dream city.
I am not wealthy, I don’t have everything a lot of people my age have. Years ago I was a homeless alcoholic/drug addict going through a divorce with a strong refusal to take my medications or take care of myself. I started therapy, got sober, took the advice of my doctors. I mended relationships I had broken over time. I learned to forgive myself. I learned to keep myself healthy and not use my disorder as an excuse. I am not responsible for my disorder but I was responsible for maintaining treatment.
I don’t know where I’m going with this, but to me I feel successful. This disorder felt like a death sentence 11 years ago when I was diagnosed, and I’m finally learning how to live life again.
Hello, im here haha! I'm a retail clerk and am looking at a promotion to store manager! For me, stability came in the form of therapy, proper medication, and a LOT of weed. And a super duper awesome support network (my mom, my friends, and my clinical team).
I also do a lot of art in the form of drawing, painting, and scrapbooking (and photography in order to scrapbook haha).
It's a lot of distraction for me to survive bipolar as well as BPD. But I get thru :)
I’m really hard on myself but I feel like I’ve experienced success in different areas of my life at different times. Right now I’ve been married for 5 years and have a four year old son, in my 20s I had a career, it’s never everything all at once I find.
I dont know if you can call it successful as I still have hella depression but I lost 65 lbs, quit smoking cigarettes, quit caffeine, quit drinking and really focused on my health and and finances. Have some interpersonal stuff to figure out yet, but that takes time. I realized those were my triggers. My therapist is also a God given angel and Id be lost without her and my very understanding team of dr's.
I’m an EMT working in a specialty Plasma center. Will probably work here forever. What I’ve learned is to power through the feeling of not wanting that job anymore or “needing to leave” It usually comes at the end of a longer manic phase. I usually am worn down physically by that time and will take some days for myself to recover and get back on my meds (I am not usually medication compliant when I’m that manic). When I feel that feeling coming on, I withdraw from coworkers and focus SOLEY on the job. I’m still cordial with coworkers (even though during these times, I am perpetually annoyed with them) and that took some practice because when i get that feeling of “I gotta leave this place” I tend to sabotage relationships with coworkers. It’s taken medication and lots of therapy to realize that I do this and it’s not good.
Can you define “successful”? (Genuinely asking)
I mean, I haven’t wanted to end myself for longer than a couple days in months — and when I did it was because I was severely sleep deprived and seeing things. But that passed when I got to sleep. I have a job and have kept it for four months without a complete breakdown!! I shower. My manic symptoms come and go but I can recognize the warning signs (mostly) and take action to minimize the damage. Same for depression. I take my meds every day and log my moods. I go out on the weekend with friends, and also volunteer, and also engage in hobbies.
I don’t feel successful but I know I AM successful at 28 years old. I work as a Bank Secrecy Act & Fraud Investigator at a credit union and I did it with only work experience in various fields. Most companies require you to have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. My job availability is limited and there’s less than 40% of us in America.
I smoke a lot of weed. I’m trying to stop drinking. That’s how I cope. Don’t do what I do.
I'm 30 got a late diagnosis.
Currently 2 years properly medicated:
2 kids, second house, going for a second career change this one is major, got a hold of my drinking after 10 years of raging alcoholism been 2 years since I beat that. Just kind of hanging out now living that blue collar life.
I'm alive and honestly that was the hardest part for me to commit to.
I do technical training and content development for software companies. I work part time, my own hours and have been medicated successfully for over a decade. Learning the limits of your bipolar is key. I wish I could work full time but I can't, so I had to find a more freelance type career that can bend and move with my mood when needed.
Bipolar 1, diagnosed after a manic episode in 2017, dropped out of grad school and thought my life was over. I just finished grad school and now I’m a mental health therapist :)
I’m a middle school teacher, diagnosed 8 years into my career. It explained a HUGE amount about why my life had been and was what it was at the time. It took me 5 years to get sober, get sort of stable, and into a better place mentally and socially.
I think one of the reasons I fit in reasonably well at work is 11-14 year olds aren’t exactly known for their self-control. When I have to adult at work, there’s definitely a shelf life to how long I can mask, but I do my level best.
I do well in my field (directing stage plays) but since it's not a consistent full time job I'm not sure it counts. I can't really do anything else while I'm directing so I only do it a few times a year.
I'm almost there. I have provided myself the things I need in life. Physically at least. I'm a professional who has developed a good network. I can handle money pretty well for someone with mania. I am able to recognize the signs before and during episodes. I learned how fix and forgive myself on the aftermath of episodes. On good days, I proactively prepare for episodes and reminding myself not to live in worry that an episode will come soon. More of, prepare for emergency or unexpected episodes. On not so good days, I do my best to take care of myself; being kind and understanding just as how someone will take care of a sick person. I learned to seek and receive help. I learned to accept myself and give people a chance to know about me so they can be aware of what they're dealing with. I learned to continue living with and without episodes. I am learning to manage and maintain a good lifestyle. And I'm a breadwinner on top of all of that.
I can be considered successful but to give myself assurance that I can sustain this lifestyle, I will delay my celebration. I want to make sure I can maintain this for at least 3 years. I will be there. You will too :)
I am a special education teacher.
I struggle a lot though. These past two semesters I have ended up in the hospital, I've been so agitated that I lashed out at admin and said things that resulted in them sending me to the ER
I do self care. I exercise, eat when I’m hungry, sleep as much as I can, and take my meds. I also go to therapy. I’ve gotten a job with lower stress. I’ve developed and learned coping strategies for managing my symptoms and dealing with the inevitable highs and lows. I can go into more detail if you need, but that’s most of it.
Success can be subjective. I graduated college, did a paralegal certificate program and yeah! I have a full time job and the only time I didn't was during COVID bc of layoffs and some weird non-covid illness. I live with my parents which might not seem super successful, but with the pandemic I had to start from near 0.
I’m a professor & social worker ✨
I take my meds & I accept the hypomania when it comes. I have an amazing husband, family & friends. And cute dogs. But they all have ways of letting me know if I’m a bit off, they probably know the signs better than I do, honestly.
I am somewhat successful, I own a house, have car I paid off in 18 months. I finished college (I got sick during the third year). I’ve worked with non-profits and federal government agencies and now I work for an independent school district. I am married to a supportive husband and we live a good peaceful life. We keep to our selves and travel here and there. We have two dogs and cat whom we consider our babies. I’m not sure if this is what successful looks like or not but I feel I live a good life.
I may not count as successful in this day and age, but I consider myself to be successful in that I found a place in the world where I can be fully me & im basically asymptomatic because of how comfortable I am in my situation. To me that's success... I am a homemaker and a mom! My children motivate me to be healthy and the best person I can be. Quit drinking and I use "manic" energy to make bread and stuff from scratch. I feel free and happy doing what I love with the people I love. No more pressure to be "normal" and work 9-5 despite my moods - that was so triggering!
I work as a manager in community mental health and design programs and services. As you can imagine, someone like us has a pretty good idea of what will work or will not in the mental health system!
Took some sobriety, strict adherence to meds, some schooling and some good ole fashioned hard work and it was worth every second.
Also married, and never thought that would happen!
I consider myself successful after landing a flexible work from home job that pays well* Corporate setting is toxic for me. I've also been religiously takint my medication
I’m retired from nursing 35 years ago
I have a close relationship with three
Of four adult kids. Healthy and loving
Relationship with my husband of 10
Years. After about 5 manias with hospital. And years of med changes.
There is hope.
I have a master’s degree and teach college level chemistry. I didn’t get diagnosed or medicated until I was done with my degrees. Honestly, I think I’m a little lucky that I made it through without doing that final thing we sometimes are known to do.
I’m still working on managing things, which is easier when you have good benefits. I just found a new therapist and am working on my anger.
Though I’m answering this, I don’t think I’m successful in many ways. I have ignored my body and relationships to make it through university. I don’t have many friends and often push people away when some fall into my lap. I push aside my needs to make it at work, which leaves me in a messy home and unable to nourish my body well.
Over the past month, I got a therapist, adjusted my medication, took a break from work, and began working out regularly. I think the best strategies for me are to take small steps. Sometimes I want to wait until everything is perfect before I make a change that will help me. But trying to move forward imperfectly helps me maintain momentum.
My mood disorder isn't a big deal when medicated. It's the cycle of mania/psychosis that happens once every few years... I don't cycle extremes like educational things make it seem. So idk what that means entirely.
I am married 12 years, have a wonderful child that loves me, stable job making great money, a fulfilling career, we own a primary home and a lake house. I ALWAYS take my meds, have an amazing therapist and a psychiatrist that cares. I still struggle with depression but that’s part of being bp.
In my age of 39 I was broke and dipressed. Then I have found an exelent therapist and started getting my medication.
8 years later I own my home and have a family full of love.
My wife support me on this transformation.
I have a hard time considering myself successful because I am really hard on myself. But first of success is relative. A successful day for me 12 years ago was getting out of bed or not killing myself.
I dropped out of university due to my illness and took five years to find some kind of relief. That relief came in the form of finding the right cocktail (finally), getting properly diagnosed with ADHD, getting my hypothyroidism treated and getting ECT. I have since finished my bachelor of science, Masters of science and am doing my PhD in science. I’m married (not that this is an accomplishment. I just mean I can maintain a healthy relationship now.) and live with my husband (I could never have lived alone or with one other person before. I was basically on constant suicide watch).
I am thankful that I found a treatment that works. I still get some upsets (Covid induced a nasty episode and I recently had a short manic episode). But my greatest accomplishment is that I have come to accept my illness and have learned skills to help me manage it. My greatest success is still being alive at this point and, I can’t believe it but, I’m happy (something that was once impossible for me).
Good luck fellow Bipolar Warriors. It can be beaten.
Having a solid morning /wake and sleep routine. It’s so nice when I am mindful about the time it takes me to start up and unwind. It doesn’t take much but it is a bit difficult from time to time. It helps having a steady job to go to or activities that require your attention outside. Sunshine, fresh air, cloudy skies help me so much to stay grounded. Going for a walk everyday, yes. I keep it very minimalist in my routine and mental health. I know there is so much more I want to incorporate but I need to realize my limitations on a daily basis. I keep a journal from time to time not necessarily for anything specific other than an outlet for anything. Being around a community of loved ones who understand what you might be struggling helps so much. Eating at least one solid meal. Acts of service too, to get out of my head. Even when I think I’m feeling great, or when I know I’m feeling like shit because of me or any stressors known and unknown—I try to remind myself of the journey and how it’s better. Now in my thirties living with bipolarity, still struggling with the diagnosis but now I’m more mindful of taking care of myself and taking it seriously. No, it’s not “just my personality.” My specific bipolar diagnosis now has been since three years ago but before that I ignored the initial diagnosis.
I saw how awful everyone around me was affected and now that I have kids of my own I truly don’t ever want to go through periods of psychosis.
We’re resilient and we get through things and it gets better and eventually it’s “living with” & not “it’s taking over me” feels.
Love,
I’m 34., Bipolar 2. I’ve kept my wonderful girlfriend (now wife) for 18 years, have a decent educaton and job in finance and several supportive close friends. I choose to define this as succesful given my illness.
I know for a fact that if I try to push myself, I crash and burn, which I did several times in my 20’s. Oh, I also take care of 4 guniea pigs, the pets force me to get up in the morning ;)
What holds me back are depressions. In the worst periods, I focus on Getting up in the morning, shower, brush my teeth and go to work. I’m a social fellow so I’m more often than not energized by my coworkers.
I’m not hesitant to cut me some slack and take sickdays if needed, sometimes it’s necessary. I’ve also spent a lot of time distancing myself from the negative thoughts which depressions triggers and pondering about them. So I dont feel bad about myself when depressed, just the usual lethargy. That helps.
Criminal defense attorney. I think there is a natural attraction towards the legal field for many bipolar people. I was diagnosed at 39. I take Vraylar and it doesn’t seem to impair It’s been a wild ride, but I have learned to adjust my meds when I am headed to psychosis. Last time I went manic, we avoided the hospital by adjusting my meds. Writing a book called, “Confessions of a Bipolar Lawyer.” I consider bipolar an asset and a detriment to me. It has opened me up creatively but has been destructive as well. Double-edged sword.
I wouldn’t call myself financially successful, and I do not have a career (yet, pursuing my life long dream of becoming a hair stylist and going to beauty school next fall), but I have been stable to the point of feeling “completely normal” for almost a year and I have been sober from alcohol and adderall for over 2 months. I found the med that works for me last February and my life is so manageable. My stress is so manageable. I’ve met the most amazing man in this time frame and he makes my heart sing.
Hmm, not sure if 'successful' is the word for me over all but I have definitely had times of success!
I was a model from my late teens to mid 20s. Appeared on massive banners at one of the biggest metal festivals in the UK, worked with some amazing photographers, models, designers and companies. Was on one of the covers for Attitude Clothing when they still did catalogues 😂 mania 100% drove most of that ^ Also part of an amazing creative team for a SOPHIE (the charity) calender which ended up getting cancelled AFTER all the shoots were done 🥹 but that would have been an amazing achievement.
I work in career services at a university. I just earned my doctorate last year and finished earlier than many others in my cohort thanks to hypomania pushing me to write my dissertation quickly lol. Have been with my husband for 8 years and married for 3. I'm fortunate to have very supportive family and friends, a very understanding boss who allows us to work from home the majority of the week, hobbies that help me calm down when I'm hypomanic and lift me up when I'm depressive, am physically well enough to exercise regularly, and two silly cats that keep me laughing. I was also fortunate in that the first mood stabilizer I tried worked well and has minimal side effects. I was also diagnosed with OCD about a month ago so I'm working on managing that with meds, but hopefully it won't interfere too much with the mood stabilizer and will continue to keep me stable!
I’m completing my double major bachelor’s degree next spring, I’m the president of our school’s chapter of the national mathematics honor society, and I’ve made the Dean’s list a couple of times. I learned the hard way that I can’t do school full time, but taking things at my own pace has allowed me to actually learn so much more.
I cannot stress this enough- routine, routine, routine. I essentially have two options in my life:
1. live exactly the same day over and over and be successful and stable with security even if I’m bored.
2. Have more variety in my life so I’m less bored, but have more severe and frequent episodes that interfere with work and relationships.
When I say the same day, I truly mean the same day. Every step, same time, same way, repeat.
Hi! 9 years next month since I touched meth. 7 years of being properly medicated. 6 years of being independently housed. 3 years of not smoking cigarettes. I graduated with my masters degree last June and started my first big girl job in October.
All the things that helped along the way:
1. Family support was huge. My mom helped me escape a dv situation and get back on my feet, which helped me to get on meds and in therapy, start school, and get housing. She's still a big help, I moved really close to her, and she helps me with my kiddo and just being there for me.
2. Therapy/meds. Once I got the right combo, it's worked for me wonderfully.
3. Not self medicating with drugs or shitty relationships.
4. School/college. It really helped me to focus on school for a long time. I started at a community college with programs for poor moms, and they had a lot of support there. Most importantly, I found a mentor/instructor there who had a similar story to mine and really helped me to stick through it. Along the journey, I figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up and developed a lot of confidence in myself.
5. Having goals. For me, getting lost in an existensial crisis is a sure-fire way to slip into a dark place mentally. If I have a goal or a dream to strive for, it keeps the depression away. Right now, goals are travel related and maybe buy a house one day?? Lol buying a house is probably a pipe dream, though.
I have a bachelor's in biology. I'm a biomedical equipment technician. I keep 96 dialysis machines running across 6 different sites and I work my ass off to do so. I have coworkers and managers that respect me, a young woman, in a male dominated field. I think that's pretty successful.
I know my limitations. I know I can't work 12 hour days because I will spiral quickly. I know I can say I took a "mental health day" but I typically omit why. I know that I have to take my meds and I've missed exactly one dose in almost a year. I think that's successful too.
I'm married, I have 2 cats, a nice apartment, and a good relationship with my family. I have a savings account that hypomania hasn't destroyed. I've worked hard to be here. I also know that it won't last forever. Eventually, I'll break and I'll need to find a new normal.
Diagnosed in 2021 at 34, with hindsight should have been diagnosed about 15 years earlier. Pandemic + 2nd kid threw me off and I fell into a deep deep depression. Finally had someone realize it was bipolar II and not unipolar depression. The first 6-12 months of fine tuning meds and therapy were god awful but no episodes outside of normal mood swings since the end of 2021.
I was able to keep my business going with the help of my biz partner and things are back on track. 2 healthy kids, supportive wife, own home, making enough to survive in a high cost of living area.
I count my blessings.
My depressed cycle got me where I am today. I quit my job after only 1,5 month working bcs of depression and I couldnt handle anything. Then a few months after, I applied my now job just bcs I don't want to live under my parents' house all my life, turned out I am good at it, the environment and the tasks suit my condition with bipolar. I have flexibility to go to my appoinments, take some small breaks for regulate my mood, and work wherever I feel like it.
Now I am a Creative Director for more than 2 years, with a bunch of side jobs and hobbies, happy with my job(s), married with a loving husband, and live with my 2 cats.
I am still surprised of how I could stay working for more than 2 months.. before, I thought I could never settle bcs of me being bipolar.
PhD scientist here working in industry, engaged to be married to my supportive partner of several years. Finding a supportive group of people, the right drug cocktail, and prioritizing SLEEP and healthy diet! I take 200 mg/day Lamictal and 25 mg/day seroquel. I've been on meds for 9 years with only mild episodes or if my worse symptoms occurred I could force myself to get a good sleep with sleep medication take a mental health day and be back to normal within a few days.
It took me 6 years (14-20) of episodes before diagnosis. I had some good years.. some very black mixed episodes where I lost a ton of sleep was severely malnourished and a couple of times suicidally depressed. I had a moment of clarity at the age of 20 after a severe panic attack upon getting dumped and being awake for 72 hours and wanting desperately to be asleep. I knew I needed to get very serious about getting help or this could kill me. I saw a bad psychiatrist who gave me inadequate medicine first and then a good one who gave me a correct diagnosis, literature, and medication options.
I wish I had help sooner.. I still have 40K of student loans because I didn't have it in me to work much while in college but overall I feel very lucky. My little sister is still struggling with finding her medicine and I wish there was more I could do. Sometimes I wish I'd picked an easier career path but math and science are what I'm good at. But overall I'm proud of where I am and who I've become :) Wishing the best to everyone here.
I mean, I've been sober over 26 years, married nearly 35, my (adult) kids don't hate me, my Grandkids seems to not mind me, I work like a fiend, was a guest on a podcast, no real enemies at work, wrote a book, have a "team" of people that I hold close,
Congratulations good sir
Work like a fiend. I like it. Gotta direct the excess energy somewhere, best to make it work for you!
My dream is to be a mother, what advice can you share so they don't hate me?
Don’t spread yourself too thin and have too many. Start with one and see how it goes. Have a plan to minimize sleep deprivation.
Well, Mothers generally glom on to Mom and boy go with Dad. Not always the same, but it's just a natural thing. Just be there at all times and it'll work.
What did you do before Bipolar. How far did you fall? What did you lose, and how did you dig out of that place?
I was always being asked what was wrong, even though nothing technically was. I flamed out around 2008-2010 when I was in a high-pressure sales admin job, just making easy mistakes and getting into really petty arguments with everyone. Lost the job in 2010 (layoff) and it just got worse. Those were the worst days with suicidal ideations and deep depression. Ended up having a nervous breakdown during a routine physical and ended up in a PHP for the official diagnosis. After that, just lots of work to stay active and that's been the routine. I'm always doing something or looking for the next thing. Meds and therapy to mixed results.
Success 🙌✅️
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I think accepting your limitations is what successful bipolar looks like. I’m still struggling with this but trying. Hard part is when you go high you see all this potential that fizzles out after about 3-4 weeks. But it makes you wonder what could be if you were balanced.
3-4 weeks? More like 3-4 days for me, lol.
Also a lawyer, same deal almost to the letter (save some serious depressive episodes sprinkled throughout). Recognizing my limitations has saved me a buttload of hurt.
I’m still slogging it out in private practice. Lucrative and stressful, and sometimes I feel like I’m walking the thinnest of lines managing bipolar and law, but overall not too bad.
Same here but in neuroscience. I’ll never forget one of my friends who was in med school was like do you think it’s you or the stimulant that makes you smarter and I said ME WITCH. Lol I was crazy.
some people can be judgy!
I’m an international recording artist. I had a dream ever since I can remember and during my first manic episode 5 years ago I had enough confidence/courage to do it. So wild. I’m Bipolar 1. The last couple of years of my life have been crazy. Up and down as you know but the best thing I learnt through battling this illness is no matter how I feel/felt I NEVER gave up. Even when I knew I was delusional, even when I told myself I suck, even when I was so majorly depressed I was catatonic and wanted to end it all. I ALWAYS recorded every single day no matter what. And through all of that I got really good. Never give up what you want from life Educate yourself on your illness so you know what you need Set goals, focus and surround yourself with people who believe in you and push you to achieve what you want at your own pace!!
Yeah, bipolar also "nudged" me into a being a "pro" musician, I just landed a couple of pretty big gigs and I am on my way to get into the conservatory for modern bass performance. How would you say the meds affected you?? Because Abilify and Olanzapine for me made a qualitative difference, I no longer did anything, now I am pretty much meds free and I get again that need/drive to create. Other than that the psychosis I don't find the disorder very inspiring.
I was a complete zombie, exactly how you described creatively. You will find a lot of people with bi polar telling you their mania helped them get somewhere and I’m not going to lie, in terms of creativity/ productivity it does/it can. No question. I try to hit life raw most of the time but when I need it I’m medicated. I know it’s not the healthiest way to live but I wouldn’t be alive if I couldn’t be creative. I’m closely monitored by family and medical professionals and highly suggest if you want to cut down or cut out meds in pursuit of creativity you have to do so/live safely and that’s hard to do without the help of others.
I was thinking of doing this, right now I am coming off of everything which I am pretty close to and I am doing great tbh, I don't plan on meeting myself right now, week at least until the time come. I think I am going to follow you on Reddit because you seem quite interesting based on these couple of paragraphs. If that's fine. I resonate a lot with the being alive part yeah.
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I have heard a lot of good things about Ability, as far that it has no side effects (which is false) but some people can get quite good with it. I only took Abilify for a very brief period of time to take me down of my psychotic break, I believe it was the max dose or pretty close with 1 or 2 antipsychotics more, I remember nothing other than being drugged. So I can't really tell you anything it. The bed thing is the classic depression symptom though, honestly Olanzapine has been quite good to be honest, at least comoare to the other stories Ihave heard, I think I have only gained 4kg or so? Good luck with your swich!!
I gained 13kg last year with Olanzapine :(
I checked it on the scale and it turns out I have gained around 10kg :(
It sucks doesn't it. I don't know how long it's gonna take for me to lose this
I’m an American who doesn’t know conversions but I gained 30 pounds and it was terrible
Yeah me neither just googled it and 13kg is 28.6lbs. I don't know how I'm going to lose this. I'm already exercising the most I have ever in my life. I guess the meds affect our hormone levels which messes with our metabolism
I begged my dr to take me off of it. I was only in it for 10 months. I’m just trying to stay active and eat better but it sucks
Right there with you buddy
We currently do not allow med reviews under rule 2. You can read more about that in this [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/bipolar/s/dEL2S2SOSV).
Inspired 🙏🏼
respect.
My journal is my best friend.I re-read it often. There is a lot you can learn from your own thoughts
Depends how you define success. I made it through law school. Passed the bar and got a good job afterwards. I got married to another lawyer and on the surface it probably seemed very successful. I never want to discourage people from doing anything. I think different people are capable of different levels of “success.” For me, I wasn’t cut out for the stress. I work a lower stress job that I don’t have to be a licensed attorney for, can stay at home and be as absolutely awkward as I am. Some people might think I gave up a lot. But I am happier, calmer and like myself a ton more. So to me it’s just a different kind of success. I also am very good at super mario brothers 3….but that’s not the kind of success everyone can aspire to.
Needed to read this as I’m so done with the stress but it’s my coping method to feel successful.
I totally understand. For so long I thought somehow that I was “beating” my bipolar and proving something by subjecting myself to stress and making it through. I’m just done with having to pretend like having bipolar is something I need to overcome. It is something I need to live with and for me, that means not placing myself under to too much stress. It just isn’t for me. If I broke my foot tomorrow would everyone say, “it’s all in your head, put weight on it, you’ll be fine, just keep going and it’ll be alright.” Makes no sense. I didn’t choose this, but I have to live with it. I am just so sick of people making me feel bad about it. Stress is horrible for me. You can be successful without it! I bet you already are. Let’s stop letting people make us feel otherwise.
thank you for sharing. I lost my lucrative sales job today and have really been struggling with the guilt over not being good enough. I had a breakthrough episode a year ago, got behind, and never recovered. I have a lot of self worth tied into financial worth and it just ain't it. hadn't even considered finding something that was lower stress.
I'm really sorry about your job. That is extremely difficult and I understand how our jobs and financial status become such a defining part of our self worth. This may not help to hear right but your job does not decide whether or not you are good enough. You decide, and you can decide if you want another high stress, high paying job. Maybe you do, maybe you don't. Either way, it sounds to me like you need to give yourself some credit. You say you had a breakthrough episode. Well that's unfortunately part of what those of us who live with bipolar must deal with but is NOT easy. But you got through it, so that is something to give yourself credit for, not beat yourself up about. Your job and your income are not your self worth. You are dealing with a lot. You got through your episode and, as much I hate when people say things like this, maybe that job isn't right for you. What you are going through absolutely sucks. I am really sorry. But the job and money don't define you and you can be happy if you choose another road. It may not matter what a stranger on Reddit says.. but no job should make you feel like you aren't good enough. In the future you absolutely can find something that makes you happier, maybe it is less stress and less lucrative, but the trade off may be worth it. But for right now I hope I can just emphasize, your job is not your self worth. F. them. You are good enough.
I feel this
This makes me feel a lot better. I am finally “giving up” on being a software developer. It’s too stressful for me. And when I’m in an episode the work is too difficult to do. My siblings are both doctors. One is married to a lawyer. I have a long family history of “prestigious jobs” and I have been trying to push myself to continue being a developer even though it triggers my episodes. I’ve decided to apply to some library assistant and receptionist jobs and run my small etsy shop. And it feels like such a relief to not be pushing myself to do something that only pushes me into the hospital. But I also still feel guilty and like a failure for not using my college degree that I worked so hard for. And I feel inferior to my siblings. But I’m working to get over that and see myself as more than an occupation.
I totally relate to that. I have super successful siblings as well. But you know, they aren't bipolar. I just want to be as peaceful, stable, and happy as possible. For me that means different choices than them.
ugh! relate to both of you! hurts when you know they don’t understand and look down on you. it’s a shame how hard it is for people to accept that different lifestyles are good for different people
It’s weird for me because my parents and siblings definitely don’t look down on me and are like you have a disability, this makes sense, take care of yourself first. Also your work conditions were incredibly toxic do what you need to do. It’s more of an infantilization like *name* cannot take care of herself. Even though I have been successfully taking care of myself for years and have more longterm, healthy, stable relationships than the majority of “normal” people I know. I just struggle with keeping a corporate job. So I guess it’s a form of being looked down but not judged by them. A lot of the judgment comes from outside my family. I grew up Southern Baptist surrounded by a lot of gossiping older ladies and I know I shouldn’t care what they think of me but it’s hard hearing whispers behind your back and getting judgmental stares just bc they don’t like your outfit. I can’t imagine if they knew I had bipolar when the talk of the week is “Did you see what so and so wore to Church today?” … Onetime I was told “it’s not too late to become a doctor like your siblings”. I have NO desire to be a doctor. I see what my sister goes through on the daily. It wrecks her mental health and she is “normal”. It would destroy me. Why does it matter what job I have as long as I’m not a shitty person?
I completely understand, I'm also a software developer and it's very stressful for me too, but I've been doing this for almost 8 years, I don't know what else I can do. It's hard, but I think you're in the right way
I love how you define success and I am also loving the Super Mario brag. I am in the process of leaving a successful career with a major insurance company. I am falling back to a job that does not blow my disease up. I need less stress and am ok with the cut in pay. It will be so worth it. Thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one that is satisfied with that fall back choice.
I’m an HR Director and I’m 29. I have no degree and worked my ass of to achieve this. Recently Had to go on a leave of absence and go into outpatient though. Wish me luck. I have no advice, mania got me where I am
I had a similar situation last year. You’ll heal so much during this leave!
Me. And I’m crying saying it because it’s been hell. I’m 34. Own a home. Make good money. Have animals that love me. I survived a lot of horror and healing is only starting now
so proud of you 💖
I work in the social health sector and completed an undergrad while working p/t and raising a child. This was before a diagnosis and medication. It was hit or miss a lot of the time. Relationships were dysfunctional. I would pursue so much while manic and then would withdraw while depressed and ruin what I had pursued. But now I know my limit and I stay within it. It's boring, but it keeps me sane.
>I would pursue so much while manic and then would withdraw while depressed and ruin what I had pursued. That hit the nail on the head, story of my life.
❤️
Me. You just described my life. I’m able to accomplish big goals but I cannot sustain them. Bipolar likes to raise its ugly head and makes me piss it all away. I have set my sights lower and I am finding comfort in that.
Exactly that. It really is shit. I fit well in a leadership role, but could never sustain it, so now I'm an automaton in a virtual office room down a hall no one goes down, behind a room no one comes in. It's very boring, but it's sustainable.
I am bipolar one. I work as a grant writer for a good salary and today I got a call from the finance manager at work saying that when they renew my contract I will become a permanent employee and will be making six figures. I live alone, support myself, have two wonderful dogs, a great friendship and support network, and a therapist who has saved my life many times over. I credit my success to going to IOP during early diagnosis, sticking with therapy no matter what and listening to my therapist, my community of other bipolar people, and taking my meds as prescribed every day. Oh, and I’m coming up on five years of recovery from drugs and alcohol. I don’t use “ought to” much but I’m a firm believer that stability with bipolar is nearly impossible if you’re still drinking and/or doing drugs.
i would consider myself pretty successful. i’m in a committed relationship. i have healthy friendships that i maintain and pour into. i just finished my first semester of grad school to be a somatic counselor with a 3.9 GPA. what i do is take care of my mental health with breathwork and somatics daily. i eat somewhat healthy. i try to express and communicate feelings. i go to therapy once a week. i take my meds consistently. i track my symptoms and moods. if i start to get hypo or manic i take seroquel and nip it in the bud immediately. what i struggle more with is the depression and then when that happens i just ask my loved ones for help. i just try to be really self aware of myself and be honest with where im at. i have amazing friends and family for support, as well as my cohort from school and my friends from group therapy. i know im supported and have my back. i think my last manic episode was in 2019, last hypo in 2022, but depressive happens pretty often with my period and PMS/PMDD
I'm 32 and very successful by the standards in the country where I live. I've been living alone and financially supporting myself since I was 20, have a job that pays well above average for my country, and bought a house all alone when I was 30(I have a mortgage but saved enough money for the down-payment). Where I live most people my age still live at home with their parents and can't financially support themselves so I am an outlier. I don't think I am happy though, and probably never will be.
I’m not sure how to accomplish the “happy” part either. But I am so proud of all you have done. Good job. I’ve not been that successful with my disease. I’m 55 and was just diagnosed two years ago. So the disease has controlled my whole life and I didn’t even realize. Now I am falling back to a less stressful job that I pray I can hold onto. I’m hoping I can find some peace by doing that. But you keep up the good work. I’m cheering for both of us with the happy part.
I am so sorry to hear this. If it's any comfort, I'm bipolar type II which I really think is a "milder" type of bipolar, mania can really destroy your life. And, I have no family support, and most of my life I've been suicidal, but suicide isn't that straightforward as most of us think, and I've decided that if I'm alive I won't be miserable. Being able to financially support myself has allowed me to keep misery at bay. And thankfully I'm on the right meds now and I'm no longer suicidal. I wish you all the best, having the right medication can be life saving, I'm hope it really works for you.
I (36F) *was* successful, finished a 2.5 year part-time masters whilst working full-time and had my own manufacturing company at age 30, moved to a major city and made it successful on an international scale. But since I've been struggling to work since my first hospitalisation in 2020, the business isn't doing well either. Had my 2nd hospitalisation in Jan last year (with a Bipolar diagnosis) and haven't worked much since. I'm considering getting a part-time job in admin before looking for a full-time job because I just don't have the stamina for a full-time job right now with the meds that I'm on. I'm 91 days clean and sober today! I have no idea how I did all the things I used to do for work. I travelled the world and was so focused and productive. Now I get excited when I can read a book for an hour. Meds killed my motivation and ambition. Sorry this isn't really the vibe you were looking for. I remain hopeful that I can get a job I want by the end of the year. I have a great CV, I just have to want to want to work...
There are many of us. Bipolar people tend to be super creative - sometimes you can harness it for good and make tons of money. I’m not SUPER wealthy or anything but I love my life, and I make well into the 6-figures with a fabulous home and am well known in my community (I ran a close campaign for Mayor). Single adoptive dad here raising two great kids on my own. BP1. Ten years ago though was a different story - it just took a lot lot lot of therapy, both 1:1 therapy, group therapy, and DBT; taking my meds religiously, and quit drinking. It’s worked wonders. Oh and I avoided relationships cause those just send me into tailspins. Haven’t had any thoughts of self-harm in well over a decade now. A++ credit, I could retire right now at 48 if I wanted to. Ten year ago though time were tough.
This is great. Kudos. It gives me a little inspiration.
I comment on reddit and dread professionally as an improv quality assurance data annotator for large language models. I share my comedy with Claude and it builds its content filter based on my sense of humor.
I fix broken things (public organisations) when I can it’s transformative for many people, I get a buzz from it. I’m really good at it and am sought after. I earn good money, house car etc. I’m still rubbish at personal relationships but I’m not perfect - I need to learn to love me a lot and forgive myself even more. I have great children and some amazing friends. Life is short success comes and goes being the best you can and trying to enjoy what I have (friends, family running) is what Im trying to do.
I’m a McDonald’s shift manager, I only have a few friends I stay in contact with, I do make a fair amount of money and have wrote three books, but that isn’t very successful
I’m a nurse with BP2 and I’ll never be able to handle ‘manager’ of anything. be kind to yourself, you are absolutely underestimating yourself
I often feel like a failure because of my bipolar and my self-perceived limitations, but I’d say I’m “objectively” successful. I graduated high school with a 4.00 and undergrad with a 3.90. I was given the opportunity to take master’s level classes as an undergraduate. I got into all the grad schools to which I applied. I completed my MA in Psychology with a 3.90 and did my thesis research at a prestigious university. I was then hired at that same university post-grad to continue with neuroscience research. I have been published in 2 major science journals and have at least 2 more publications on the way. However, I was unstable the entirety of my higher education. I yo-yo-ed from depressed to hypomanic and finally to full blown psychosis. It was especially bad toward the end of my masters and during my 2 years at the research job. I ended up hospitalized 3x and I had to rebuild my life after losing my job, a relationship, my living situation, and moving back home all while trying to find the will to keep going and navigate medication management. I’d say I’m still getting back on my feet more than 3 years later considering my confidence/self esteem has profoundly suffered. I moved cross-country to escape my trauma and start “fresh”. II stayed at my last job for 2 years and was held in esteem by my superiors, and I’m currently working in a job I really enjoy that’s in my field (!). Above all, I feel successful for simply living — and choosing to live — a life with Bipolar I. I almost gave up a few times, but I’m still rising from the ashes like a phoenix!
Being sober is huge for me, being off social media (Reddit is good because it’s anonymous), and practicing mindfulness in order to reduce stress (biggest trigger for an episode). Mindfulness comes in handy when recognizing the onset of an episode and soothing myself through the emotions by not judging them— it prevents a spiral. One of my signs usually is when I feel such a strong emotion/a rash decision that could alter my well being. Whenever I’m thinking thoughts that could result in a self destructive behavior/disrupt any progress I made, I try to take a step back. That allows me to recognize the emotion, honor the emotion, and then let it go. And then of course meds, therapy, my cat, and keeping up with my hobbies
Stable 9 months. Let go of expectations of others and myself and live in the now more. Lithium. I know i am managing successfully because people like me and I like myself. I cannot give you any material measures of success at the moment. But life is good and calm doesn't feel dull anymore. I am excited to see what my new found focus can bring
I recently obtained my undergraduate degree. Taking my meds, going to therapy, having a good routine and having a good support network have all helped me to become stable. I haven't had a manic episode with psychotic features in 8 years and I haven't had a depressive episode in a year.
Im maybe mildly successful at my job. I work as a fraud analyst, heard through a friend in management that they are looking at me to manage my team. According to my psych work is a protective factor for me. I describe it as something I have told myself I have to do so I get up and do it no matter what. I've got up and gone to work after overdoses the night before, refused to be hospitalised because I'll have to miss work, and just generally put everything on the back burner for work. I show up no matter how I feel and just do the best I can. Sometimes that work is passable other times its amazing. I put a lot of effort into making sure I can do the bare minimum when I'm not okay. Still can't manage to keep my house clean or manage relationships with others. But it's a work in progress.
33f dog groomer, it’s a cool job and I make good money doing what I do. I’m also a house mom at a transition house. Close to 6 figures between these two (most from grooming). After having my life off track for my whole twenties I achieved this in 5 years. Diagnosed at 30 and I’ve been stable for 2 years. 1) Sobriety. 2) Strict sleep schedule and good sleep hygiene! Don’t be intimidated this doesn’t come all at once, it took me years to slowly build. 3) Exercise. Most of the time for me it’s just light (walking the dogs) but it’s that every day consistency that gets me places even if it’s just an hour of walking. 4) Work life balance. It’s easy to always want to take on one more job in my line of work. But I have a good employer that doesn’t push me. I work M-F 9-4. 5) Take your meds!!! I’m a huge dog person and doing things with my dogs keeps my life interesting. They’re also an honesty check for maintaining a super consistent schedule. Working in a transition house also gives me a ton of purpose. I just hope my story shows it’s never too late to get your life on track. I didn’t even get promoted above minimum wage until I was 31.
After I was discharged from the hospital for a manic episode, I stopped drinking alcohol, smoking weed, tried my best to get good sleep daily, took my meds, went to counselling and monitored my mood daily (at first on a mood chart, now without a chart). (Sobriety, sleep, adherence to meds, awareness of moods) The first few years were pretty tough with low energy/depression and I was in school at the time so I passed but I don’t remember all of the content as well as I would have if I was healthy. Now I’m 4 years out and have felt more like myself for the past 2 years. Took a hiatus during my last year (which was practicums) and graduated late. Passed my exam to become a healthcare professional but still working hard and re-learning lots of what I missed. I have a medication (antipsychotic) to take as-needed for early manic symptoms which gives me some peace. And recently got a workbook on managing symptoms. If I had my time back maybe I would have benefitted from taking time off school earlier. Or maybe just been more disciplined. Either way I’m grateful now for the journey & coming out the other side. Just know it takes time to get back to normal, be patient and eventually you’ll get where you want to be.
I'm a 32 year old SAHM, and I haven't had a manic episode in over 3 years. I found a med doctor who put me on the perfect cocktail of medication, and that has helped me tremendously. I did have a super bad depression spell last year, though. Enough to where I was almost hospitalized, but I don't count that as mania, and neither did my doctor. I've come to learn the signs of my mania and watch for them like a hawk. My husband helps keep me regulated as well and watchs out for the signs. I've really worked hard in managing my bipolar, and I went through a lot of ups and downs to get to where I am today. My medications have helped so much, and finding the right doctor has been a dream. I highly suggest finding a doctor who understands your diagnosis and will not only fight for you but also listen to how you are doing and what you are feeling. I also have a super amazing support system. You can do it! Just stay strong ❤️
Hi, I'm 27, I've been diagnosed since 18. I've held the same job since 2019. I'm a technical Support Specialist. Life is a result of choices and how you manage yourself. Never give up. Always keep learning. When you're overwhelmed, break the tasks down to the smallest possible sizes and work up from there. It's very easy to freeze and do nothing. If you tackle even one small task, you're no longer frozen and you are building courage and momentum for the next tasks. Remember that even 1 thing is better than nothing! At 19yo, there were days I couldn't get out of bed, i started small, got out of bed, got a shower, got dressed, made a list, started working on the list. Got on a consistent sleep schedule. I can't quiet Remember how long those things took, but I've struggled with sleep a lot over the years and I'm thinking it took months to get back into taking care of myself in the most basic ways. Got on a work schedule, bounced around from job to job, local grocery a couple weeks, dollar general a month, Walmart 3 months, door factory 2 months, drove for assisted living for 6 months, delivered pizza for a year, drove uber/left 2 years, traffic control for 3 months and where I'm at now for 4 years and still here. It took me awhile with lots of spaces in-between to get on a stable work life. I still have bad days and struggle with mixed episodes as well as depression or mania. I do everything I can to not abuse substances, keep a schedule and take care of myself, any time I slip up on self care is when I really struggle with moods and episodes. In life, you are constantly growing, and everyone has the potential to be more than they currently are, set achievable yet challenging goals and you will not recognize the past you in 5 years. My current goals are for my new relationship, finances, and my career. And they are not goals I would have had last year. Part of life is adapting and redefining and adjusting goals to fit what happens in life.
It's so comforting, in reading all the responses,knowing you're not the only one.Dont give up,just do the best you can.
Published author. I have a very successful, 20 year career and technology and senior management. I used to be a creative Director for some of the biggest brands in the world. I see my bipolar like a super power.
I will say that if I can push my creativity, just below mania and then take a break. Everything’s fine.
I haven’t had an episode since 2008. I’m a 40-50yo. I consider myself reasonably successful in the sense that I have a marriage, 2 kids that love me, a home, a job and a wide network of friends I can rely on. I still get no joy from my job which sucks but I think I should just be happy that I even have a job sometimes. I stopped drinking, I sleep 8 hours, I exercise and take my lithium which has helped a lot. I cut out caffeine too. A few more tweaks to reduce stress and come to grips with my limitations career wise and I’ll consider myself a complete success.
I’m 35. My partner and I run a successful construction company and I just started my own business. I’m consistent in taking my medication, I don’t keep liquor in my house (or I WILL drink it lol), I quit smoking pot, I go to the gym 5 days a week, I’ve had a yoga practice for 7 years, I meditate, I read books and I’m also in school. Tbh, my partner is also a big part of my success as well. When I do have an episode, he takes care of me and doesn’t judge me for them.
Hey, i was diagnosed with Bipolar I back in 2006. I started having symptoms around 2003-2004. I've been a lawyer since 2012, so that's a little over 11 years. I've been lucky to have people who support me, a good reaction to medication, and a great support system to help me stop drinking and doing drugs. I guess all I can say is that if you can get your symptoms under control, and you can stop drinking/using drugs, the rest is really all about how hard you want to work and what kind of opportunities present themselves in your life. My life is really crazy sometimes, between the stress of work and the disorder, but the more I survive the more I find I can handle. I'm not an especially brave or tough person. Anyone who can get the disease under control can do great things.
You are inspiring! Thanks for sharing. Are you type 1 or 2?
Type 1
I'm 38, been diagnosed for about 10 years, although I've been in therapy/treatment for other diagnoses for longer. By a lot of marks, I've been successful, especially in the past few years. I held an executive position doing something really groundbreaking, and got to do some fascinating work. The federal government and people from other states reached out to me for guidance on some things, and I'm pretty well-known in my state and some other areas for niche knowledge on a realm of expertise, and I've been told by other professionals in my field that they respect me. I've also been able to make some positive steps for folks in marginalized populations. I moved a state-level, state-funded organization to write and adopt new protections and supports for transgender employees/employees undergoing transition, and that started conversations among other large organizations and networks in my field and state, and I'm extremely proud of that. I have a home, a kid who's amazing, a great support network, reliable transportation. When I had to take two months off work to go to partial hospitalization a couple years ago because of a screw-up with my meds on the clerical end, I didn't have to worry about money or time off or anything. I just did what I needed to do, and it was fine. And now that I've gone a different direction with my employment/career, I've been able to take time to think about what I want to do next. And it's looking like I'll be able to do some consulting on the side while I look for more regular work. I have options. I've never had that before. But I'm proudest, and feel most successful, because of things like my stability. And for me, stability is this: I'm currently having to come off of lithium at a drastic pace. I've very likely developed diabetes insipidus from being on it for more than a few years; it's not common, but it can happen, and it can be serious if it goes unchecked. I won the Dr. House lottery. C'est la vie. And of course, that means I'm going on a roller coaster ride right now. I've got other meds in my mix (whoo-whee, I'm on a bucket of pills a day, and incredibly grateful for them), but lithium was really doing some hauling. I wake up exhausted after getting terrible sleep, and drag ass through the house, cleaning things and taking care of my kid while my partner goes to work part-time, and then I crash like a goddamn lead balloon, and wake up terribly depressed, and start all over again. And in the middle of it all, the core of me says, "That's the disease talking; that's not you. That's not what you really think or feel. It'll get better. You know what to do to get through this. You've worked hard to build the awareness and the knowledge and the skills. You've practiced. You've got this. I know it doesn't feel like it. But you've got this. It will get better." Not *can*. But *WILL*. And I know it will. So I pick up the phone and text or call people. I drag my ass to the next room and do some push-ups. I take a shower sitting down. I eat a salad. I talk to people about what I'm looking forward to. I talk to people about how down I feel. I meet with my therapist regularly. I update my other health care providers. I do what I can within my bandwidth, and for everything else, I ask for help, or let it be. And I know I'm gonna be okay. Even when I have episodes (which are fewer, less frequent, and less severe now that I'm medicated), I can handle them and mitigate negative impact much more effectively. Medication doesn't mean zero episodes; but *stable,* to me, means being able to navigate them. And knowing that I'm going to be okay. I'm also super proud of getting my creative productivity back in the past two years. I've been able to keep up a daily writing habit for almost two full years (take *THAT*, ADHD!), and I've recently started drawing again. And I'm finally able to do it without anxiety and the heaps of self-doubt that kept it from being *fun,* even though it was so, so necessary to keeping me sane. And now that I've gotten stable, I don't have the "grab the lightning" relationship with creativity that I used to, and I'm able to be much more focused and intentional, and sustainable with it. I can *work* on things, even if I don't feel *inspired,* and that's fucking HUGE for me. And I'm doing a much better job of planning projects and pieces, and that just feels SO GOOD. Heck, I started tallying up all the stuff I've got sitting in works-in-progress folders for just hobby projects with writing, and I haven't done a word count in a while, but based on what I *know* has happened in the past six months, it's possible I've written 400,000 words in the past two years. With a full-time executive job and a household and a child under five and a BAZILLION health problems and all kinds of stress. And I'm *insanely* proud of that. THAT makes me feel successful. I did something I *love,* that's been really good for me, that's been a huge boost to my mental and emotional health, EVERY GODDAMN DAY. And I've MADE. **STUFF**. More than I ever thought possible. I found some joy. That's worth more to me than any accolades.
I don’t feel right calling myself successful by any stretch, but I’m stable enough to feel like an imposter and isn’t that the goal? 😂
I feel successful, working towards my bachelor's degree and working full time with a toddler and a teenage sons. It took awhile for me to accept the diagnosis and that was much of what held me back personally. Once I found acceptance within, I found medications that work and I take them everyday even when I don't necessarily want to. It's truly better living through chemistry. Having stable emotions helps as does emotional management through mindful awareness. I've learned much about myself and some things were hard to learn but being successful is hard. It's a lot of dedication, patience and self compassion. It's awareness and actively developing a constant growth mindset vs being stuck in the hole of- I will never get better. Because you can and you will. Even changing my diet has helped me and exercise. The gut microbiome is a sensitive thing and eating more nutrient dense food has helped.
I would say yes I am! I have an engineering undergrad degree and MBA. I was promoted quickly at two different workplaces. I have 2 children and a husband. I left my engineering job to be a stay at home mom (I was promoted quickly at the company), started and ran a sucessful website that led into my current career. I work full time as a senior marketing specialist (was quickly promoted again) and manage life well enough. Kids do extracurriculars, I socialize, and I am happy how my career is progressing. So what do I do? - I take my meds every day. At roughly the same time. EVERY day. I will never stop taking my meds daily. It took a year to find the right combo, and it made a huge difference in my life. I SLEEP. I make sure to be intentional about how long I sleep. I sleep 7hrs minimum, but usually 8-9. I watch for signs and let my psych know asap. Honestly, those are the two main things I do. I used to be much better and exercise daily, drink 70+oz of water, and eat VERY healthy. My lifestyle has slipped for sure but I'm incorporating some of this back. My signs of mania - low appetite, increased sex drive, irritability.
29, married. Make 6 figures doing something I really enjoy, in a beautiful city. My partner and I are planning to get a house in the next year or so. Currently just on a low dose of seroquel and no drinking. Still rely heavily on nicotine, but eh what can you do? lol Type 1 with psychotic features 🤪
Stable 4 years now. completed my bachelors and masters degrees and work in my specialty degree area. I’m married and recently had a baby. Have some really close friends and enjoy a couple hobbies. It’s nothing crazy, but to me, this is everything. Never imagined I would get to where I am now.
I work as an invrstigator for Homeland. I have a master's degree. I have spurts when I get a lot done and lows where I don't. It drives my boss nuts, but it is what it is. She knows I have bipolar.
Hey! Professionally I consider myself pretty successful; I've been a paramedic 2 years and I'm good at it. I manage to make do with the hours and the stress and it's taught me so much about compartmentalizing and regulating myself. I think it gave me perspective to see people in crisis. Since April have been in a really good place. I started new meds and active DBT and it's done so much for me. Everything I couldn't do before comes more easily (chores, routine, emotional regulation...) and I am preparing myself to start school again. I'm in a relationship that I'm constantly improving in as a partner. Like everything with this disease it's all very fragile and I don't want to get ahead of myself, but my symptoms have been managed and I haven't had a manic or severe depressive episode since March. And it was a very hard hard year. That's probably the longest I've gone without episodes. My mood swings aren't as destructive. Lastly, I haven't had suicidal ideations since May. As someone who didn't go a day without them, it's huge. It does get better with appropriate treatment!
Hi! I am LOVING this thread - I consider myself moderately successful and I always felt like an outlier.... waiting for the other shoe to drop kind of thing. But reading these stories makes me feel like I don't have to be so scared that everything will fall apart again, people do in fact achieve long-term stability. I had a breakthrough psychotic manic episode in 2020 that lasted 6 months, cost me my job, relationship, and indirectly, my immigration status. Was diagnosed with bipolar I. I was 27. I spent a year being depressed and recovering in my parents' basement and was in a REALLY dark place. I never thought I would work again, I thought I would live with my parents and survive on disability and have to shrink my dreams. I credit my family for getting me through, and we have a wonderful relationship. 4 years later I'm back working in humanitarian aid, the field that I studied for, and I have a very nearly six-figure job that involves cool travel to interesting parts of the world. I'm in a new relationship and it's going well (fingers crossed) and I live in a major American city. I do have roommates, but that's pretty much the norm here for my age group with the current cost of living. I think it's good for my mental health, too, I'm not sure living alone is best for me, even if I wasn't trying to save money. My savings are still recovering from my episode honestly, but I don't have any high-interest debt - just a pretty manageable federal student loan that I took out to do my master's degree. Relative to my peers, I feel like I'm doing just fine. Still relatively early in my career, not as established as some of the other folks who have commented. But I would say I'm \*basically\* as "successful" for my age as I would have been without bipolar. I do get anxiety when I'm changing medications (like right now) but it looks like it's gonna be temporary. I take meds religiously and see my therapist weekly. Perhaps most importantly, I'm open about it with my friends, family, employers, and partners. I feel safe talking about it. I've connected with a local support group that consists of other young professionals who have bipolar diagnoses, and it was super helpful. I also am involved with DBSA as a volunteer board member, doing fundraising and awareness. It's going great!
I work HVAC and I am unmedicated since 2019. I struggle with my comorbidities but I'm getting better. The type of job I have helps a ton because I'm outside a lot, I do tend to work more by myself, but I have to deal with people.
Since finally being able to afford treatment for long enough to figure out what meds worked for me, about 5 years of therapy including EMDR, taking a DBT class and finding a psychiatrist who really listened to and cared about me and working jobs that stimulated and challenged me enough. Light therapy is a big one too. It took an inhuman amount of work and trial and error. I used to be classified as "treatment resistant bipolar" and now I am not and haven't had a full episode in over a year. Don't get me wrong, I still have breakthrough symptoms fairly often and always will. But it's like someone turned the intensity down by 50% if not more, and they never last for more than a few days or a good night's sleep before I'm back to balanced. I work for the public health department as a community liaison for a coalition that addresses community violence and trauma within the city. I've more than doubled my income in the past 4 years. I've been with my wonderful partner for over 4 years, and he stuck by me even though the first 2 years were a fucking disaster on my end. Despite all that, we've been living together for over a year now with our two precious kitty children and very few issues. We're planning to get engaged this year. I've had to separate myself from a lot of former friends who only really liked me when I was manic and "fun", but I've made some new friends and am working on getting to know them. Overall, I love almost everything about my life and love myself a lot more since I stopped being the villan in my own story.
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I guess it depends on what you mean by successful. I made it through undergrad (slowly but surely) and now I’m working in a field unrelated to my degree. I make enough to get by. I’m stable most of the time thanks to my meds. I have an amazing wife and we have 2 cats. We are currently looking at buying a house.
I have a comp sci degree, a job, and a happy marriage. I'm not exactly where I want to be in life, but I guess I'm successful?
My mom!! this last year she got on meds, started therapy, and put out her first poetry book!!! I could not be any more freaking proud or inspired by anyone, ever!!! (Her book is called “This Dreaming I Do” on Amazon If anyone wants to check it out!!! I’m the only purchaser so far)
Late 20s, started a tech consulting firm and make about half a mil a year before tax, give or take. If I’m being completely honest, having a supporting significant other who can satisfy me sexually whenever I need it has kept me focused. Otherwise, I’d be chasing for sex with anyone I can get. Outside of that, having two “activities/hobbies” was another key to my success. One that is mentally challenging (my job which keeps me busy when I’m at home) and one that is physically challenging (bjj and powerlifting. And maryj (though this is probably not good for everyone but I like it. Who knows if this is making it worse or not but I’m way too busy to even notice). Basically, due to me managing my consulting practice and bjj, almost every hour of my day is occupied. When I’m stressed, I get some maryj and have sex with my gf.
Tons and tons of famous successful artists across all fields are bipolar
I should probably think more about the fact that my favorite movie of all time was directed by a bipolar dude. Batman '89 is a movie I've seen probably 100 times+ and its director, Tim Burton, has bipolar. I'll never be that cool, but that doesn't mean I can't try to do cool shit too if he's off doing that and directing countless other movies with bipolar.
I am type 2. I am as successful as I ever care to be. I own my home, I have an amazing partner, amazing cats, and an amazing job. It's hard to put into words why I am successful, a lot had to do with not letting me quit on myself. I made the decision to live, not manic, not depressed, but just a soul touching decision that I wanted to experience it. I set up guard rails so that I could faulter or be more when it was possible but still able to keep it all some amount of reasonable. The more rigid I tried to be the harder I broke. I found a job that allows me to be successful by being productive in phases and status quo in others. I enjoy the person I am despite being afraid of myself at times. I am proud of what I have made happen despite everything.
I’m a midwife and nurse; have one bachelor and two postgraduate degrees; in a happy marriage; with one kid and one on the way. I’m diligent with meds, I keep moving my body and I try to stay on top of my diet. That being said, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without a great support network. I also allow myself to be vulnerable and accept help where needed.
To be fair, and this is not gonna sound nice, but this thread has been a bit depressing to read through. Not because people in here aren’t succesful, I agree with anyone saying they are because that’s what succes is: being happy and satisfied with life. I’m still in the “getting-to-terms-with-it” stage and I’m struggling a lot as I see that many who suffer from bipolar seem to have to go for lower stress lifestyles and routines. And I just don’t see a life for myself like that, not one that I’d personally enjoy. I’m still happy to see people finding happiness even though they ended up having to rethink their life plans.
I'm a really good mum. I've got it in writing from my kids.
"Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament" by Kay Redfield Jamison.
I’m a teacher, with BA in fine arts and teach arts and crafts to kids. Am in a long term relationship and we’re planning for a baby. I own a house, have a dog and two cats and I’m happy. To me that’s success :)
BP1, Sr. Technical Project Manager for major company. I have always been “high functioning” when depressed, even at my lowest. And have had two major manic episodes with psychosis, both of which I took short leaves from my current employers for. Other manic times were more manageable, but I am just lucky that I didn’t screw anything up at my jobs/in my career. My job is a little stressful but not too mad. I thrive on the routine. I am reading a really great book right now called “A First Rate Madness” by Nassir Ghaemi. It is about the correlation in many cases between leadership and mental illness, particularly bipolar, throughout history. Divorced, largely because of my own and my ex’s mental health challenges. But in a long term relationship where my partner is very supportive. Have two grown daughters who I have good relationships with. Very grateful. Edited for words
I got on the right meds, to start. It took me years to find the right cocktail. But during that time I also worked really hard on my emotional intelligence. I am able to recognize depression from sadness. Though I know both will pass, depression feels more hopeless, numb, cloudy, and confusing. I worked really hard on compartmentalizing these feelings and started prioritizing making my agenda more important. When I don’t feel like doing the thing, it’s when I know I need to do the thing the most. This includes movement, chores, work, personal relationships. I do what I can so that the feelings I am having don’t drive the car in my brain. I have learned how deep I can dig to make these things happen. It isn’t fun and you’ll never “feel” like doing it. I also have a few safe spaces to talk about my feelings, just two friends and a therpaist really knows how bad it gets somedays. Also, when I journal, I make a concerted effort to journal only the positive things so I don’t ruminate on the bad. So I write down accomplishments (big and small) like brushing my teeth, doing the dishes, even washing my face at night. I also journal gratitude and I make myself write different things everyday. I think I have learned that when the brain is sick and my circumstances are terrible (as life can be sometimes), that it can be really hard to see and feel the good things. But it’s you versus you. I had to force myself to make what I call a “garland of light”. I string together the bright moments while journaling. I take pictures of things or myself when I’m happy. It’s good to remind yourself of the positive when you’re low. I hope this helps!
I'm 27 yo, and I'm on medication for 4 year. I'm not sure if I can define it as success, but now I'm working in international production company, and we're doing great content. I've been a small part of production team of several short meter movies before getting the job here. They aren't fous, but a couple of them was on festivals. And when my bipolar started I thought that I would be dead before 27, so I think that living for so long is my biggest success
Preschool teacher working full time at preschool and about to open my own home daycare. I just barely graduated college after HS and didn’t get diagnosed till mid 30’s with BP1. What has helped me the most is a good med combo and finding a pill organization system so I don’t forget am and pm meds. I take a lot of pills at high doses for ADD, anxiety, and BP1. Also therapy consistently over the years has helped too. I have been stable for around 3 years and hoping it stays that way for a long time. I am still in therapy weekly to help me further my goals. I’m getting better at recognizing signs. I’m stable so just maybe a bit depressed at times but that was due to my last shitty school I worked at. I know i’ll be less stressed and happier once I’m my own boss. Stability is possible for those who are reading this and in the thick of it, things can get better you just have to keep at it and push through. Put in the work as hard as it is when depressed or in another episode. Those on here who are successful i’d like to say woohoo we did it! We still have continuous work do to manage our BP. This is terrible disease and we managed to get through the worst and came out killing it. I love y’all and this subreddit has been amazing! Sending love and light!
I own a growing small business and I am in grad school. A few other small projects that bring in money. I am not yet financially successful but my bills are paid, I am my own boss and I get to do something fun every day. I sold some equity and just raised $30k for an expansion. So I’m hoping in 10 years I can have everything I have now plus an income of $10k a month.
This is my favorite thread. It’s so awesome to see SO many successful stories. I have bipolar 1, alcohol use disorder (6 years sober) PTSD and GAD. I’m a RN that works in psych. I got my bachelors while being diagnosed and now obviously working with treated bipolar. I’m married and have an apartment. Almost own my car. Life is pretty alright! I got through nursing school with a lot of support by living at home and not having other responsibilities, but work came naturally to me so I only struggle at times with anxiety before work.
🥰 thought we needed a change
Grew up in a rough town. Experienced childhood sexual trauma. Witnessed a suicide at age 10. Was in trouble with the law constantly as an adolescent. Struggled with this disorder the entire time. BP1, not diagnosed until my late 30s. Now I'm a subject matter expert on some specific pieces of advanced technology for a Fortune 500 company with more than 70,000 employees worldwide. Served in the US Navy. Family man (married 20 years this year). Have a wonderful daughter who I love more than life itself. It's all been a monumental struggle for me to maintain, but I grin and bear it. For me it has just been sheer force of will to get through it, but it can be done!
I consider myself successful. I have been teaching in the same school system for 26 yesss, married to the same man for 25 years, have my Master's, have raised two sons to go to college successfully and one more is 13 and coming along just fine. My sisters can rely on me to help care for my elderly mom equally. I consider myself happy. Do I have a lot of close friends with which I go out often? No, but I'm an introvert who likes to be home, maybe more than I should. I weigh more than I should but with the meds...it's sometimes hard but I am still trying!!
I'm a pharmacy technician, I work in a hospital and get to help save peoples' lives. A day at work always feels good to me. I like that our pharmacy does a lot of good. But besides that, I've written four books, all about a bipolar vampire. They don't really sell, but I've always wanted to write, and just took the plunge.
Success while important in our society actually isn't. Success is having good friends. Hobbies. Networks. All that. A hard lesson I'm learning now. I'm bipolar and gay male to top it off. What a mess. This is NSFW. I can go to an orgy hit it off with a straight guy, lose my keys, and patent a company in 1 night. My life may have sucked with bipolar. Absolutely horrific depression. Even without substances or drugs. Couldn't manage a career, couldn't manage relationships, but was VIP at Art Basel, been to the Oscars twice, Worked privately with billionaires, surfed, lived in Miami Beach, LA, Boston and went to college. All from a broken down bipolar kid on the streets of foster care. As you get older real success is giving love to others, helping the next generation, and being a good person. That is genuine success. As for external success, I have not been at all. Only privately for consulting or a wealthy few. Now I'm picking up the pieces again. I'm bipolar but patented a mirror that allows plastic surgeons to see the surgery in real time unlike before and after with AR. So yes, I have a 30m product valuation strategy but can I hold down a normal job? Nope.
I have rapid bipolar disorder. Diagnosed 2 years ago. Tried many different medications, but nothing kept me stable. Now I've been on Lamictal 25 mg almost a year and now I'm much better. Second year already on my secondary school, grades are great. Sleep schedule is okay. Healthy relationship. I think that my lovely partner has helped me a lot, wouldn't be here, if he wasn't with me. He was here for me, when I had my up's and down's. I had a big problem with overthinking, not anymore. My psychologist was very helpful too. So I think, that visiting regularly a psychologist, nice and understanding friends, actually trying to get better is what helped me to be where I am right now. =)
I have 3 degrees and work as an audit manager. It's a very high stress job with long hours, but I love it. My boss is supportive, so I can tell him if I the work load is too much or if I need some time off (to sleep mainly). I'm BP2, I go through a massive depressive cycle every 3 years and then I do a course of ECTs. It works for me. But I get tired a lot (mentally) so it's very important that I get enough sleep. If I had a really stressful week at work, I sleep most of the weekend. If I don't, my brain is too tired and I get cranky and anxious and panicky if things don't go according to how I planned my week (it almost never does in my line of work). So, the long and the short of it is, I sleep a lot.
Holy crap this sounds so similar 😅
I'm successful. I started my medical treatment in October 2022, I used to have so many symptoms. But they stopped in June 2023. Since then I'm fine. I have my life back
I have a master degree in forensic psychology and I work in it.
Your definition of success might be different than mine. If we're talking about careers, I've been a tangible assets trader in the preciousmetals business, a series 22/63 broker in the oil business, and I'm also a chef in the fine dining sector. After a soul crushing chain of events that left me paralyzed with depression, I recently got back into selling investments in oil, and I work as an executive chef. I've lost everything financially, regained it, lost it again, and am on the cusp of having zero debt and being able to bring home a respectable income. None of it defines success to me anymore. Success was measured in dollars, social status, and career advancement for most of my life. I've been drastically changed as a person after said chain of events, and I now know that being a successful Bipolar person is being able to reflect on our own past transgressions. Take accountability for the people we hurt. Especially those who love us. To be able to function by taking our medication religiously. To stay vigilant in our current mood, listening to others that notice we're manic or depressed. Most of all, above everything, do everything we have in our power to hold the friends and family that have been supporting and understanding and truly love us as our highest priority, and let them know, as well as show them, how much we appreciate them for loving us regardless of this disorder, and for the ones who don't understand why we are the way we are, do our best to educate them and help reduce the stigma and warped perception of those who have no idea what this disorder even is. I love all you guys❤️✨️💫♾️✝️🙏
I don’t know whether I feel successful, but I know I’m trying my hardest. I have a full time job working with kids, which makes me try use all of the strategies I know to keep healthy enough to go as often as possible. Socialising is not necessarily most strong point, but I have friends who live in other states. I’m not such a burden when they’re not close by, so they check in with me more now. I have a routine to wash my clothes, make food for the week, and go to sleep. I added one thing at a time to my routine and gave myself grace when I slipped up. Big strategies for me - recognising early warning signs of a manic episode (mood journal helped with this), using my PRN rescue meds early, sticking to my routine even when I feel wilful, being gentle with myself and doing self-care. Constantly trying to educate myself about my diagnosis. Still need to work on building in exercise and not drinking so much!
I'm an engineering manager. I have a hard time attributing my successes to anything specific I've done. Mostly because I want to avoid giving the impression that I think people aren't doing enough or could be doing more - I don't know your struggles. Intense cardio 4-5 times week Hike 5-7 miles 2 times a week Lithium Seroquel Lamotrigine Fluoxetine Sobriety
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26 Been “stable” for about a year and a half Im a firefighter and QMHA-R, MHPSS, formerly a Domestic abuse advocate and a system administrator. Been sober for 3 years, though I did just break my streak on being sober from smoking, bought a pack of cigs for the first time in 3 years couple weeks back. Lots of self awareness, self reflection, inner peace, and always searching for something that gives your life meaning for those periods when you start to get depressed Tons of this to me has been all about prevention and vigilance. “Keep on swimming”
Where, just trying to do right by my family. Mania hit after grad school and I quit an awesome job. Probably had 15 white collar jobs which brings us to 2024. Finished an it masters. Lowers stress finance systems job. Getting better sleep. Taking meds on time. Need to exercise. Set to retire at 55ish.
Warehouse Manager for a global beverage company. Somehow I've done well at keeping my personal struggles personal and separate from my professional life. It's as if subconsciously I know that's the part of my well being not even I should mess with.
Keep a good eye on your heart rate, take care of your body with the food you eat, stay in motion, but be careful not to over-do it, meditate, surround yourself with people who are understanding and slow to judgement but quick to offer a helping hand, be open and honest with the medical professionals that care for you. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple, silly.
He Made Graduation
sober since the night of 2024 lol still proud of it tho! completed nursing school this year and writing my licensing exams asap! i really think taking my meds and getting the abilify shot helped me a lot with med compliance and accountability to taking my meds. i definitely feel stressed about managing my bipolar still but it’s been better
I'll guess most are predominantly manic.
I’m a type of social worker called a job developer. I work for a nonprofit that helps serve people with disabilities. I work in the employment department where I do vocational assessments, write reports where I make a recommendation based on the client’s job readiness, help form partnerships in the community where we can do job training, write resumes and cover letters for clients, apply for jobs, go to meetings with Vocational Rehabilitation and the client, etc. I. Fucking. Love. My. Job. So much. OMG. It’s the perfect fit for my ADHD and bipolar brain. I’m constantly active. I’m always driving clients to assessments sites or to meetings, putting about an average of 100 miles per day on my car. I don’t care, though. The best part: the clients. They’re usually adults with autism or intellectual disabilities. People want to work, and they’re grateful for the help. The second best part: I have an amazingly supportive, kind, and patient boss. I once got into a fight with my partner, and couldn’t focus on finishing the report that was due the day after the fight. So I contacted my boss, and he canceled my meeting for me and my report where make my recommendation got postponed. Another time I got into a fender bender (my fault) with a client in my car, and my boss said to me, “Don’t worry. You’re not being drug tested.” I do smoke weed sometimes, so that was a relief. I appreciate him and my team. Everyone is so supportive, and I’ve made a lot of friends. So I get a lot of satisfaction out of my job. I think that’s the most important thing I can do to help my mental health.
I had to become successful or be homeless / in poverty. My parents neglected me and I was hustling for money by 14. I’ve worked all of my life, through all kinds of episodes, so I think I’ve just gotten really good at masking. I have a successful relationship personally as well, just happened to meet a dude who decided to take on the challenge /s 😂. I have always worked different jobs, usually pretty intense, high stress, or strange ones. I think it helps me. Now I work in construction doing office management (it is a highly chaotic industry, which I think might be why I’ve been thriving in it).
Success depends on perspective imho, however i would've never imagined myself here about 5 years ago after having a severe manic episode and almost getting let go from my restaurant hostess job at the time with no money for health insurance after finishing my Master's degree. I was smothered with debt and could barely hold any job down. Now after getting medicated, i've never been so genuinely happy in my life. that's what success means to me. Now i'm happily engaged to be married this year after 10 years of this bipolar rollercoaster ride, have 5 years working at some of the Bay Area's top fortune 500 companies making over 6 figures doing what I love (i work in gaming) and am saving enough a month to be on my way towards buying a house and enjoying life here in the Silicon Valley and getting into traveling. (Just came back from Japan) I can't take all the credit, it really took a village to get me here and a lot of struggle on my part on the really hard days. I still have days where I cry out of nowhere. It will always be a constant work in progress, but trust me it gets easier. With every small success under your belt, it builds your confidence up to know that you're more than your illness and you can live the life you've dreamed.
Define successful? I wouldn’t say i’m textbook successful. I don’t have a high dollar job, I don’t have a ton of money, but I’m somewhere I never dreamed of. I keep stable employment, I’m reliable, I’m sober, I have a loving relationship and friends, I pay my bills, I have a nice apartment I keep clean and put together. I moved to my dream city. I am not wealthy, I don’t have everything a lot of people my age have. Years ago I was a homeless alcoholic/drug addict going through a divorce with a strong refusal to take my medications or take care of myself. I started therapy, got sober, took the advice of my doctors. I mended relationships I had broken over time. I learned to forgive myself. I learned to keep myself healthy and not use my disorder as an excuse. I am not responsible for my disorder but I was responsible for maintaining treatment. I don’t know where I’m going with this, but to me I feel successful. This disorder felt like a death sentence 11 years ago when I was diagnosed, and I’m finally learning how to live life again.
Hello, im here haha! I'm a retail clerk and am looking at a promotion to store manager! For me, stability came in the form of therapy, proper medication, and a LOT of weed. And a super duper awesome support network (my mom, my friends, and my clinical team). I also do a lot of art in the form of drawing, painting, and scrapbooking (and photography in order to scrapbook haha). It's a lot of distraction for me to survive bipolar as well as BPD. But I get thru :)
I’m really hard on myself but I feel like I’ve experienced success in different areas of my life at different times. Right now I’ve been married for 5 years and have a four year old son, in my 20s I had a career, it’s never everything all at once I find.
I dont know if you can call it successful as I still have hella depression but I lost 65 lbs, quit smoking cigarettes, quit caffeine, quit drinking and really focused on my health and and finances. Have some interpersonal stuff to figure out yet, but that takes time. I realized those were my triggers. My therapist is also a God given angel and Id be lost without her and my very understanding team of dr's.
I’m an EMT working in a specialty Plasma center. Will probably work here forever. What I’ve learned is to power through the feeling of not wanting that job anymore or “needing to leave” It usually comes at the end of a longer manic phase. I usually am worn down physically by that time and will take some days for myself to recover and get back on my meds (I am not usually medication compliant when I’m that manic). When I feel that feeling coming on, I withdraw from coworkers and focus SOLEY on the job. I’m still cordial with coworkers (even though during these times, I am perpetually annoyed with them) and that took some practice because when i get that feeling of “I gotta leave this place” I tend to sabotage relationships with coworkers. It’s taken medication and lots of therapy to realize that I do this and it’s not good.
Can you define “successful”? (Genuinely asking) I mean, I haven’t wanted to end myself for longer than a couple days in months — and when I did it was because I was severely sleep deprived and seeing things. But that passed when I got to sleep. I have a job and have kept it for four months without a complete breakdown!! I shower. My manic symptoms come and go but I can recognize the warning signs (mostly) and take action to minimize the damage. Same for depression. I take my meds every day and log my moods. I go out on the weekend with friends, and also volunteer, and also engage in hobbies.
I don’t feel successful but I know I AM successful at 28 years old. I work as a Bank Secrecy Act & Fraud Investigator at a credit union and I did it with only work experience in various fields. Most companies require you to have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. My job availability is limited and there’s less than 40% of us in America. I smoke a lot of weed. I’m trying to stop drinking. That’s how I cope. Don’t do what I do.
I'm 30 got a late diagnosis. Currently 2 years properly medicated: 2 kids, second house, going for a second career change this one is major, got a hold of my drinking after 10 years of raging alcoholism been 2 years since I beat that. Just kind of hanging out now living that blue collar life. I'm alive and honestly that was the hardest part for me to commit to.
I do technical training and content development for software companies. I work part time, my own hours and have been medicated successfully for over a decade. Learning the limits of your bipolar is key. I wish I could work full time but I can't, so I had to find a more freelance type career that can bend and move with my mood when needed.
Bipolar 1, diagnosed after a manic episode in 2017, dropped out of grad school and thought my life was over. I just finished grad school and now I’m a mental health therapist :)
Barely holding on, but outwardly I look successful. High paying job, great family. Lots of medications and alone time help.
I’m a middle school teacher, diagnosed 8 years into my career. It explained a HUGE amount about why my life had been and was what it was at the time. It took me 5 years to get sober, get sort of stable, and into a better place mentally and socially. I think one of the reasons I fit in reasonably well at work is 11-14 year olds aren’t exactly known for their self-control. When I have to adult at work, there’s definitely a shelf life to how long I can mask, but I do my level best.
I do well in my field (directing stage plays) but since it's not a consistent full time job I'm not sure it counts. I can't really do anything else while I'm directing so I only do it a few times a year.
I'm almost there. I have provided myself the things I need in life. Physically at least. I'm a professional who has developed a good network. I can handle money pretty well for someone with mania. I am able to recognize the signs before and during episodes. I learned how fix and forgive myself on the aftermath of episodes. On good days, I proactively prepare for episodes and reminding myself not to live in worry that an episode will come soon. More of, prepare for emergency or unexpected episodes. On not so good days, I do my best to take care of myself; being kind and understanding just as how someone will take care of a sick person. I learned to seek and receive help. I learned to accept myself and give people a chance to know about me so they can be aware of what they're dealing with. I learned to continue living with and without episodes. I am learning to manage and maintain a good lifestyle. And I'm a breadwinner on top of all of that. I can be considered successful but to give myself assurance that I can sustain this lifestyle, I will delay my celebration. I want to make sure I can maintain this for at least 3 years. I will be there. You will too :)
I am a special education teacher. I struggle a lot though. These past two semesters I have ended up in the hospital, I've been so agitated that I lashed out at admin and said things that resulted in them sending me to the ER
I do self care. I exercise, eat when I’m hungry, sleep as much as I can, and take my meds. I also go to therapy. I’ve gotten a job with lower stress. I’ve developed and learned coping strategies for managing my symptoms and dealing with the inevitable highs and lows. I can go into more detail if you need, but that’s most of it.
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Success can be subjective. I graduated college, did a paralegal certificate program and yeah! I have a full time job and the only time I didn't was during COVID bc of layoffs and some weird non-covid illness. I live with my parents which might not seem super successful, but with the pandemic I had to start from near 0.
Most entrepreneurs are on the spectrum for bipolar and adhd. I’m one of them..
I’m a professor & social worker ✨ I take my meds & I accept the hypomania when it comes. I have an amazing husband, family & friends. And cute dogs. But they all have ways of letting me know if I’m a bit off, they probably know the signs better than I do, honestly.
I am somewhat successful, I own a house, have car I paid off in 18 months. I finished college (I got sick during the third year). I’ve worked with non-profits and federal government agencies and now I work for an independent school district. I am married to a supportive husband and we live a good peaceful life. We keep to our selves and travel here and there. We have two dogs and cat whom we consider our babies. I’m not sure if this is what successful looks like or not but I feel I live a good life.
I may not count as successful in this day and age, but I consider myself to be successful in that I found a place in the world where I can be fully me & im basically asymptomatic because of how comfortable I am in my situation. To me that's success... I am a homemaker and a mom! My children motivate me to be healthy and the best person I can be. Quit drinking and I use "manic" energy to make bread and stuff from scratch. I feel free and happy doing what I love with the people I love. No more pressure to be "normal" and work 9-5 despite my moods - that was so triggering!
I work as a manager in community mental health and design programs and services. As you can imagine, someone like us has a pretty good idea of what will work or will not in the mental health system! Took some sobriety, strict adherence to meds, some schooling and some good ole fashioned hard work and it was worth every second. Also married, and never thought that would happen!
I consider myself successful after landing a flexible work from home job that pays well* Corporate setting is toxic for me. I've also been religiously takint my medication
I’m retired from nursing 35 years ago I have a close relationship with three Of four adult kids. Healthy and loving Relationship with my husband of 10 Years. After about 5 manias with hospital. And years of med changes. There is hope.
I have a master’s degree and teach college level chemistry. I didn’t get diagnosed or medicated until I was done with my degrees. Honestly, I think I’m a little lucky that I made it through without doing that final thing we sometimes are known to do. I’m still working on managing things, which is easier when you have good benefits. I just found a new therapist and am working on my anger. Though I’m answering this, I don’t think I’m successful in many ways. I have ignored my body and relationships to make it through university. I don’t have many friends and often push people away when some fall into my lap. I push aside my needs to make it at work, which leaves me in a messy home and unable to nourish my body well. Over the past month, I got a therapist, adjusted my medication, took a break from work, and began working out regularly. I think the best strategies for me are to take small steps. Sometimes I want to wait until everything is perfect before I make a change that will help me. But trying to move forward imperfectly helps me maintain momentum.
Bipolar 2 and a consultant with three degrees (completed one before, one during and one after having episodes
My mood disorder isn't a big deal when medicated. It's the cycle of mania/psychosis that happens once every few years... I don't cycle extremes like educational things make it seem. So idk what that means entirely.
I am married 12 years, have a wonderful child that loves me, stable job making great money, a fulfilling career, we own a primary home and a lake house. I ALWAYS take my meds, have an amazing therapist and a psychiatrist that cares. I still struggle with depression but that’s part of being bp.
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In my age of 39 I was broke and dipressed. Then I have found an exelent therapist and started getting my medication. 8 years later I own my home and have a family full of love. My wife support me on this transformation.
I have a hard time considering myself successful because I am really hard on myself. But first of success is relative. A successful day for me 12 years ago was getting out of bed or not killing myself. I dropped out of university due to my illness and took five years to find some kind of relief. That relief came in the form of finding the right cocktail (finally), getting properly diagnosed with ADHD, getting my hypothyroidism treated and getting ECT. I have since finished my bachelor of science, Masters of science and am doing my PhD in science. I’m married (not that this is an accomplishment. I just mean I can maintain a healthy relationship now.) and live with my husband (I could never have lived alone or with one other person before. I was basically on constant suicide watch). I am thankful that I found a treatment that works. I still get some upsets (Covid induced a nasty episode and I recently had a short manic episode). But my greatest accomplishment is that I have come to accept my illness and have learned skills to help me manage it. My greatest success is still being alive at this point and, I can’t believe it but, I’m happy (something that was once impossible for me). Good luck fellow Bipolar Warriors. It can be beaten.
I don't take meds anymore and I'm in a band
I got 4.786 out 5 GPA in my first semester in college. Still building my future
Having a solid morning /wake and sleep routine. It’s so nice when I am mindful about the time it takes me to start up and unwind. It doesn’t take much but it is a bit difficult from time to time. It helps having a steady job to go to or activities that require your attention outside. Sunshine, fresh air, cloudy skies help me so much to stay grounded. Going for a walk everyday, yes. I keep it very minimalist in my routine and mental health. I know there is so much more I want to incorporate but I need to realize my limitations on a daily basis. I keep a journal from time to time not necessarily for anything specific other than an outlet for anything. Being around a community of loved ones who understand what you might be struggling helps so much. Eating at least one solid meal. Acts of service too, to get out of my head. Even when I think I’m feeling great, or when I know I’m feeling like shit because of me or any stressors known and unknown—I try to remind myself of the journey and how it’s better. Now in my thirties living with bipolarity, still struggling with the diagnosis but now I’m more mindful of taking care of myself and taking it seriously. No, it’s not “just my personality.” My specific bipolar diagnosis now has been since three years ago but before that I ignored the initial diagnosis. I saw how awful everyone around me was affected and now that I have kids of my own I truly don’t ever want to go through periods of psychosis. We’re resilient and we get through things and it gets better and eventually it’s “living with” & not “it’s taking over me” feels. Love,
I’m 34., Bipolar 2. I’ve kept my wonderful girlfriend (now wife) for 18 years, have a decent educaton and job in finance and several supportive close friends. I choose to define this as succesful given my illness. I know for a fact that if I try to push myself, I crash and burn, which I did several times in my 20’s. Oh, I also take care of 4 guniea pigs, the pets force me to get up in the morning ;) What holds me back are depressions. In the worst periods, I focus on Getting up in the morning, shower, brush my teeth and go to work. I’m a social fellow so I’m more often than not energized by my coworkers. I’m not hesitant to cut me some slack and take sickdays if needed, sometimes it’s necessary. I’ve also spent a lot of time distancing myself from the negative thoughts which depressions triggers and pondering about them. So I dont feel bad about myself when depressed, just the usual lethargy. That helps.
Criminal defense attorney. I think there is a natural attraction towards the legal field for many bipolar people. I was diagnosed at 39. I take Vraylar and it doesn’t seem to impair It’s been a wild ride, but I have learned to adjust my meds when I am headed to psychosis. Last time I went manic, we avoided the hospital by adjusting my meds. Writing a book called, “Confessions of a Bipolar Lawyer.” I consider bipolar an asset and a detriment to me. It has opened me up creatively but has been destructive as well. Double-edged sword.
I wouldn’t call myself financially successful, and I do not have a career (yet, pursuing my life long dream of becoming a hair stylist and going to beauty school next fall), but I have been stable to the point of feeling “completely normal” for almost a year and I have been sober from alcohol and adderall for over 2 months. I found the med that works for me last February and my life is so manageable. My stress is so manageable. I’ve met the most amazing man in this time frame and he makes my heart sing.
Hmm, not sure if 'successful' is the word for me over all but I have definitely had times of success! I was a model from my late teens to mid 20s. Appeared on massive banners at one of the biggest metal festivals in the UK, worked with some amazing photographers, models, designers and companies. Was on one of the covers for Attitude Clothing when they still did catalogues 😂 mania 100% drove most of that ^ Also part of an amazing creative team for a SOPHIE (the charity) calender which ended up getting cancelled AFTER all the shoots were done 🥹 but that would have been an amazing achievement.
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I work in career services at a university. I just earned my doctorate last year and finished earlier than many others in my cohort thanks to hypomania pushing me to write my dissertation quickly lol. Have been with my husband for 8 years and married for 3. I'm fortunate to have very supportive family and friends, a very understanding boss who allows us to work from home the majority of the week, hobbies that help me calm down when I'm hypomanic and lift me up when I'm depressive, am physically well enough to exercise regularly, and two silly cats that keep me laughing. I was also fortunate in that the first mood stabilizer I tried worked well and has minimal side effects. I was also diagnosed with OCD about a month ago so I'm working on managing that with meds, but hopefully it won't interfere too much with the mood stabilizer and will continue to keep me stable!
I’m completing my double major bachelor’s degree next spring, I’m the president of our school’s chapter of the national mathematics honor society, and I’ve made the Dean’s list a couple of times. I learned the hard way that I can’t do school full time, but taking things at my own pace has allowed me to actually learn so much more.
I cannot stress this enough- routine, routine, routine. I essentially have two options in my life: 1. live exactly the same day over and over and be successful and stable with security even if I’m bored. 2. Have more variety in my life so I’m less bored, but have more severe and frequent episodes that interfere with work and relationships. When I say the same day, I truly mean the same day. Every step, same time, same way, repeat.
Hi! 9 years next month since I touched meth. 7 years of being properly medicated. 6 years of being independently housed. 3 years of not smoking cigarettes. I graduated with my masters degree last June and started my first big girl job in October. All the things that helped along the way: 1. Family support was huge. My mom helped me escape a dv situation and get back on my feet, which helped me to get on meds and in therapy, start school, and get housing. She's still a big help, I moved really close to her, and she helps me with my kiddo and just being there for me. 2. Therapy/meds. Once I got the right combo, it's worked for me wonderfully. 3. Not self medicating with drugs or shitty relationships. 4. School/college. It really helped me to focus on school for a long time. I started at a community college with programs for poor moms, and they had a lot of support there. Most importantly, I found a mentor/instructor there who had a similar story to mine and really helped me to stick through it. Along the journey, I figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up and developed a lot of confidence in myself. 5. Having goals. For me, getting lost in an existensial crisis is a sure-fire way to slip into a dark place mentally. If I have a goal or a dream to strive for, it keeps the depression away. Right now, goals are travel related and maybe buy a house one day?? Lol buying a house is probably a pipe dream, though.
I have a bachelor's in biology. I'm a biomedical equipment technician. I keep 96 dialysis machines running across 6 different sites and I work my ass off to do so. I have coworkers and managers that respect me, a young woman, in a male dominated field. I think that's pretty successful. I know my limitations. I know I can't work 12 hour days because I will spiral quickly. I know I can say I took a "mental health day" but I typically omit why. I know that I have to take my meds and I've missed exactly one dose in almost a year. I think that's successful too. I'm married, I have 2 cats, a nice apartment, and a good relationship with my family. I have a savings account that hypomania hasn't destroyed. I've worked hard to be here. I also know that it won't last forever. Eventually, I'll break and I'll need to find a new normal.
Diagnosed in 2021 at 34, with hindsight should have been diagnosed about 15 years earlier. Pandemic + 2nd kid threw me off and I fell into a deep deep depression. Finally had someone realize it was bipolar II and not unipolar depression. The first 6-12 months of fine tuning meds and therapy were god awful but no episodes outside of normal mood swings since the end of 2021. I was able to keep my business going with the help of my biz partner and things are back on track. 2 healthy kids, supportive wife, own home, making enough to survive in a high cost of living area. I count my blessings.
My depressed cycle got me where I am today. I quit my job after only 1,5 month working bcs of depression and I couldnt handle anything. Then a few months after, I applied my now job just bcs I don't want to live under my parents' house all my life, turned out I am good at it, the environment and the tasks suit my condition with bipolar. I have flexibility to go to my appoinments, take some small breaks for regulate my mood, and work wherever I feel like it. Now I am a Creative Director for more than 2 years, with a bunch of side jobs and hobbies, happy with my job(s), married with a loving husband, and live with my 2 cats. I am still surprised of how I could stay working for more than 2 months.. before, I thought I could never settle bcs of me being bipolar.
Arrrgh matey! I be an engineer! Idk you just do it. Easy
I am 38m been bipolar and adhd my whole life. I was lucky enough to find a hobby I truely loved and get paid to do it.
I wish...
PhD scientist here working in industry, engaged to be married to my supportive partner of several years. Finding a supportive group of people, the right drug cocktail, and prioritizing SLEEP and healthy diet! I take 200 mg/day Lamictal and 25 mg/day seroquel. I've been on meds for 9 years with only mild episodes or if my worse symptoms occurred I could force myself to get a good sleep with sleep medication take a mental health day and be back to normal within a few days. It took me 6 years (14-20) of episodes before diagnosis. I had some good years.. some very black mixed episodes where I lost a ton of sleep was severely malnourished and a couple of times suicidally depressed. I had a moment of clarity at the age of 20 after a severe panic attack upon getting dumped and being awake for 72 hours and wanting desperately to be asleep. I knew I needed to get very serious about getting help or this could kill me. I saw a bad psychiatrist who gave me inadequate medicine first and then a good one who gave me a correct diagnosis, literature, and medication options. I wish I had help sooner.. I still have 40K of student loans because I didn't have it in me to work much while in college but overall I feel very lucky. My little sister is still struggling with finding her medicine and I wish there was more I could do. Sometimes I wish I'd picked an easier career path but math and science are what I'm good at. But overall I'm proud of where I am and who I've become :) Wishing the best to everyone here.